I wish to advise the Deputy that over the period in question, 6 credit cards were held by officials in certain posts in my Department. Currently, official credit cards are held by two officials within my Department. No new credit cards were authorised during the period. In 2014 the total expenditure charged to these cards amounted to €25,243.27, whilst a sum of €27,588.36 was charged in 2015. No bank interest was incurred in these periods.
All applications for credit cards must be made in writing accompanied by a business case and submitted to the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Finance who, if in agreement, submits for approval to the Secretary General. If approved, the card is issued on the basis that it will be used exclusively for official purposes. All bills are processed for payment on a monthly basis and individual transactions are scrutinised by the Department's Financial Management Unit to ensure they are appropriate to a charge on the Department's Vote. All credit card expenditure must be accompanied by receipts and when submitted in support of an expense claim must be approved by a line manager who is senior to the applicant.
Credit cards of this nature are utilised as a business tool which is tightly controlled and facilitates the efficient and cost effective discharge of Departmental business. In some instances it is not possible to procure goods and services without a credit card, where for example, suppliers insist upon advance payment or for on-line purchases. The control process is kept under review but my Department is satisfied that the controls in place restrict the number of such cards to a minimum and that the priority is ensuring best value for money.
