Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Questions (906)

Barry Cowen

Question:

906. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent in each of the years 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 practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The information requested by the Deputy regarding subsistence and taxi payments is set out in the following table. My Department has been audited by the Revenue Commissioners for tax compliance. No issues were raised in this regard. Travel and taxi usage policies are reviewed on a regular basis. Changes in relevant circulars issued centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are notified to all Departmental staff as a matter of course.

-	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015 (to 12/6)
Subsistence	€761,229.05	€908,416.18	€954,234.07	€840,572.32	€363.068.04
Taxis	€28,307.86	€33,001.57	€23,619	€22,801.25	€9,726.75