asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what is the present allowance for travelling expenses to officers of his Department, and upon what basis has it been fixed; and, farther, what readjustments, if any, are made in the present scale when there is a fall in transport costs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Travelling Expenses of Officers in Department of Agriculture.
The Deputy appears to be under a misapprehension in the matter. No allowances are given to officers of the Department of Agriculture in respect of travelling expenses, actual expenditure upon travelling by rail or other public conveyance being recouped to such officers, as in the case of the State service generally. There is, accordingly, no question of basis in the matter, save that officers are allowed different classes in railway travelling according to their rank in the service. In regard to the concluding portion of the question, the matter of readjustment does not arise, seeing that any fall in the cost of travelling automatically leads to a corresponding reduction in expenditure upon travelling.
Is the Minister aware that the inspectors of creameries are getting sixpence a mile?
Mr. Hogan
Certainly not. They are paid only their outlay. They buy a ticket and the money is refunded to them.
Can the Minister say if there is any officer in this Department who has a car and for whom there is a rate laid down of so much per mile?
Mr. Hogan
I do not think there is an outdoor officer who uses a car of his own. If he hires a car he makes a bargain and the money is refunded.
Is not the Minister aware——
Mr. Hogan
There may be officers, but I am not sure. I can say that ninety-eight per cent. of the officers travel by train. Of course, there may be an officer who uses his own motor car.
Deputy Fogarty's question specifically asks for the rate of allowance paid in the Minister's Department. The Minister says he does not know if he has an inspector travelling about in his own car or if such a man does get an allowance.
Mr. Hogan
There can be no doubt as to what Deputy Fogarty asks. He asks me if I will state what is the present allowance for travelling expenses to officers of my Department and upon what basis has it been fixed, and, further, what readjustments are to be made in the present scale when there is a fall in transport. My answer to that, is that he is paid outlay. I answered that question without adverting to the point the Deputy raises. I doubt if there is such an officer in the Department. There may be officers of the County Committees who go round in motor cars, but none of the headquarters' staff goes round in motor cars. I am aware of the usual method of travelling of officers of the Department. In all cases they are refunded outlay. If they get cheaper tickets on the railways, the refund is smaller. If the Deputy wishes me to ascertain if there is an officer who uses his own motor car on this work, I will make inquiries.
Surely an inspector going to the creameries will not be brought by the train to the very door. He will have to walk from the station to the creamery.
Mr. Hogan
Usually the inspector is not a wealthy man. He hires a motor-car and he gets a refund.
What becomes of the man who has his own motor car, and who gets it repaired? Is not that repair work met out of travelling expenses?
Mr. Hogan
I completely overlooked that point. If the Deputy is anxious to know whether any officer of the Department uses his own car, and if he is anxious to find out what allowance is made to such officer, I will gladly make the inquiries. The Deputy can put the matter by way of question.