I have made six trips outside the State since taking up office in May 2016. The details requested by the Deputy in relation to these trips are set out in the following table. In some instances, the figures relating to the costs incurred may not be final, as claims for these trips have still to be submitted by all of those who travelled or may not have not been fully processed.
The Minister of State at the Departments of Social Protection, Justice and Equality and Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, has not made any trips outside the State in his capacity as Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection.
Details of travel outside the State by Minister Varadkar and accompanying Officials from 6
May 2016
Destination
|
Purpose of trip
|
Duration of trip
|
Minister/
Official
|
Cost of flights
€
|
Cost of accommodation
€
|
Other expenses
€
|
Luxembourg
|
Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO)
|
15/6/2016 –
16/6/2016
|
Minister Varadkar
|
(Note 1)
|
185.00
|
100.97
|
|
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
556.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
520.18
|
376.83
(Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
Ministerial Advisor
|
492.18
|
|
|
Slovakia
|
Informal EPSCO
|
13/7/2016 –
16/07/2016
|
Minister Varadkar
|
335.02
|
350.00
|
61.25
|
|
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
206.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Officer
|
279.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
333.02
|
533.95
|
232.75
|
Vienna
|
World Economic Forum – new leaders for Europe
|
10/11/2016 –
13/11/2016
|
Minister Varadkar
|
439.80
|
510.00
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
498.35
|
510.00
|
247.50
|
Brussels
|
EPSCO
|
7/12/2016 –
9/12/2016
|
Minister Varadkar
|
157.57
|
360.00
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
103.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
157.58
|
540.00
|
296.00
|
|
|
|
Ministerial Advisor
|
150.22
|
|
|
London
|
Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
|
1/2/2017 –
3/2/2017
|
Minister Varadkar
|
69.04
|
£156.06
(Note 3)
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
89.98
|
£327.42
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Officer
|
126.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant Principal
|
89.98
|
£327.42
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
155.73
|
£156.06
|
318.83
|
|
|
|
Ministerial Advisor
|
69.04
|
£156.06
|
|
Peru and Columbia
|
Accompanying President Higgins on official visit
|
8/2/2017 –
13/2/2017
|
Minister Varadkar
|
3,353.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Secretary
|
3,353.51
|
|
|
Note 1: No airfare costs – refunded by EU Council.
Note 2: Costs include other expenses.
Note 3: These figures relate to the costs of accommodation as booked and are therefore, quoted in sterling. Claims for this trip are still to be submitted and processed.