Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
515. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2687/19]
View answerMy Department has a contract in place for the provision of foreign travel services, which was sourced under the Office of Government Procurement travel management services framework. Only essential travel is undertaken and the number of officers travelling on official business is kept to a minimum.
In 2018, total expenditure by my Department on airline costs, amounted to €279,306. For comparison purposes staffing levels in the Department have increased by 21% since 2016 with an increase of 43% in airline costs for the same period. This reflects the expanded remit of the Department since 2016 which now includes climate and environment functions which have significant international commitments.
