The amount provided for Departmental travel and subsistence costs in the 2009 Defence Estimate was €396,000 while actual expenditure was €286,000. This saving was achieved through prudent management in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible, and to a lower than anticipated requirement for non-EU foreign travel. In addition, home subsistence and motor travel rates were reduced in March 2009.
The corresponding amount provided in the 2010 Estimate is €330,000 representing a reduction of 17% on the 2009 provision and an increase of 15% on the 2009 outturn. The allocation for 2010 includes provision for foreign travel costs associated with contract negotiations, Ministerial support duties and UN commitments.