asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in respect of himself and his Parliamentary Secretary (a) the number of visits abroad since 1st September, 1971, and (b) the purpose and total cost of each visit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Visits abroad.
124.
Three visits abroad were made by the Minister for Social Welfare since 1st September, 1971, for the following purposes: (1) Attendance at a Conference of European Ministers responsible for Family Affairs, held in Stockholm; (2) Attendance in London to sign a reciprocal agreement with Great Britain, and in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Reading to examine computer installations of the British Ministry of Health and Social Security; (3) Attendance at a Council of European Ministers of Social Security, at The Hague.
The approximate total cost of the visits was (1) £240, (2) £90 and (3) £150. No visits abroad were made by my Parliamentary Secretary during this period.
Can the Minister state if there were any meetings in relation to the European Social Fund?
Not yet, but my Department have constant meetings in relation to that matter. I attended one general meeting in Brussels, not in relation to the Social Fund in particular, but it was one of the questions we discussed.