Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2021
98. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a list will be provided of approved travel agencies for all public servant trips that are booked abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17739/21]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Transport and the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) have primary responsibility for regulation and licensing of the travel trade in Ireland.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), an office within my Department, engages with CAR and ensures that appropriate licensing requirements are included in its central arrangements for travel agency services.
Having regard to the above, OGP established a Framework Contract for the Provision of Travel Management and Ancillary Services in August 2017. This was awarded to Club Travel HRG Ireland Ltd. The Framework Contract is available to all public sector bodies to use. It is Government policy that public bodies, where possible, should make use of central arrangements or provide a value for money justification for not doing so.
