Departmental Staff Expenses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Questions (835)

Barry Cowen

Question:

835. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practises in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23677/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The total amount paid out in respect of staff subsistence and staff taxi payments for each of the years from 2011 to date is set out in the following table. My Department has not been subject to a tax compliance audit for these payments. Payments made to staff in respect of travel and subsistence are in accordance with the relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform rules and guidelines.

	2011 €	2012 €	2013 €	2014 €	Jan -12th June 2015 €	Total
Subsistence	196,797	213,817	183,289	203,755	106,431	904,089
Taxis	24,349	25,744	29,309	30,313	7,646	117,361
Total	221,146	239,561	212,598	234,068	114,077	1,021,450