Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2009
182 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of expense account credit cards paid by his Department; the credit limit on each card; the amount spent on expense account credit cards since 2004 to date in 2009; the instances where the annual expenditure on a single credit card exceeded €5,000 with the grade of the credit card holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16065/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the number of expense account credit cards paid by my Department are set out below.
|
Number of cards |
Credit Limit |
|
€ |
|
|
1 |
5,000 |
|
2 |
6,350 |
|
4 |
7,000 |
The total amount spent on expense account credit cards from January 2004 to date in 2009 was €230,232.45.
The following table sets out the instances where the annual expenditure on a single card exceeded €5,000 during that time:
|
Year |
Total annual expenditure |
Credit card holder |
|
€ |
||
|
2004 |
17,550.66 |
Senior Meteorologist, Met Éireann |
|
2005 |
7,225.64 |
Private Secretary to the Minister |
|
12,929.99 |
Principal Officer |
|
|
16,439.28 |
Senior Meteorologist, Met Éireann |
|
|
2006 |
17,775.30 |
Private Secretary to the Minister |
|
24,081.48 |
Principal Officer |
|
|
12,327.22 |
Senior Meteorologist, Met Éireann |
|
|
5,714.45 |
Assistant Director, Met Éireann |
|
|
2007 |
5,789.05 |
Private Secretary to the Minister |
|
5,036.58 |
Principal Officer |
|
|
19,635.18 |
Assistant Director, Met Éireann |
|
|
2008 |
14,421.42 |
Private Secretary to the Minister |
|
18,747.82 |
Principal Officer |
|
|
19,175.59 |
Assistant Director, Met Éireann |
A limited number of credit cards are issued and only in circumstances where a strong business case has been established. In the case of Met Éireann, a credit card is issued to facilitate the purchase of ICT hardware and software licences and for the renewal of subscriptions to work-related publications. Credit card holders are required to provide a detailed monthly breakdown of expenses incurred and expenditure in these areas is closely monitored at all times.
