Vol. 568 No. 5
351 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures his Department is taking to reduce the travelling expenses of health board staff; if he has reviewed the possibility of using telecommunications systems to hold meetings rather than travelling to meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/03]
The implementation of conditions of service, including travelling expenses, for health board staff is a matter for the chief executive officers of the health boards in the first instance. The governing circular issued by my Department to health boards in this regard states that all travel relating to health board work should only be that necessarily incurred and reasonable. In relation to the use of telecommunications systems, I am aware that health boards are increasingly using a range of products in the information technology area to improve, facilitate and expedite arrangements in relation to holding meetings and for assisting with general communication issues.
