Written Answers. - Travel and Subsistence Rates.
Michael Creed
Ceist:
229
Mr. Creed
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the rates of travel and subsistence paid to teachers for attendance at career development courses; and if the same rates apply to gardaí, nurses and civil servants attending career development courses.
[5192/02]
The subsistence and travel rates payable to teachers for attendance at in-career development courses are set out in the appendix herewith. These rates are on the basis agreed in negotiations with the teacher unions as part of an overall package in the context of the particular circumstances of in-service training for teachers and the range of training situations involved. The overall package also covers travel, subsistence and fees payable to teachers engaged as lecturers on courses.
The appropriate motor mileage rate approved by the Department of Finance for civil and public servants for travel which arises for reasons connected with official business but not the actual discharge of official business, for example, attendance at training or career development courses, is the reduced rate of mileage. This rate currently stands at 28.76 cent for cars with engine capacity up to 1200cc, 31.59 cent for cars with engine capacity between 1201cc and 1500cc and 35.35 cent for cars with engine capacity at 1501cc and over. The 31.9 cent travel rate indicated in the appendix herewith is the average of these and applies to all three categories.
The Department of Finance allows Departments to pay full mileage rates in respect of attendance at training courses where they consider it is justified by the circumstances of the case and provided any additional expenditure incurred can be met from within their budget allocations for the year in question. This discretion excludes situations where specific instructions apply in relation to the payment of reduced mileage or the use of public transport, for example, in relation to attendance at third level courses of education.
In the case of civil servants, where overnight accommodation and other meals are not provided by the course organisers, the general Civil Service subsistence rates are payable provided the normal conditions governing the payment of such allowances are satisfied. The Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children will provide information directly to the Deputy on the travel and subsistence rates payable to gardaí and nurses, respectively.
Appendix
The subsistence and travel rates payable to teachers for attendance at in-career development courses
SUBSISTENCE RATES
National programmes: €60.95 to cover evening meal, overnight stay, breakfast, lunch and coffee. Where meals are provided by course organisers, the following amounts should be deducted –€15.87 for dinner, €10.79 for lunch, tea-coffee and €6.98 for breakfast. Where accommodation and meals are arranged and paid for by course organisers, only actual costs within the €60.95 limit are payable.
Other courses: An overnight amount of €34.28, including breakfast, is payable, except for primary teachers attending summer courses for which extra personal vacation is approved. Where accommodation and breakfast are arranged and paid for by course organisers, only actual costs within the €34.28 limit are payable.
The above is on the basis that overnight stays occur where unavoidable.
Meals [Amounts claimable by course providers for course participants]
Lunch-coffee: €10.79 [Minimum four hours actual training contact time]
Meals for shorter periods: €6.98 [Minimum three hours actual training contact time]
€3.81 [Less than three hours actual training contact time]
TRAVEL RATES
The cost of bus or train fares or 31.9 cent per mile car allowance, where less expensive public transport is not available. Mileage allowance may not be paid in respect of claimants who have to travel less than ten miles, single journey, to the course.
GENERAL
In each of the above cases, the amounts shown are the maxima which may be claimed by organisers in respect of course costs.
