It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the level of detail requested on foreign travel undertaken by my officials and the related expenses in the time frame available. The following are summary details of expenditure on trips outside Ireland the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 to date.
|
Year
|
Number of Trips claimed and paid
|
Air Travel No. of flights booked and cost
|
Hotels Expenses paid
|
Other Travel And Subsistence Expenses paid
|
Official Hospitality
|
|
2009
|
1,207*
|
1,408*
|
€239,710
|
€420,167.91
|
€107
|
|
|
€485,092.96
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
1,036*
|
1,145*
|
€197,822
|
€356,782.23
|
Nil
|
|
|
€375,506.93
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
Nil*
|
22
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
|
€4,217.78
|
|
|
|
*The number of trips and amounts paid are based on actual expenditure, i.e. the number of claims submitted by officials and the date of payment. The figures differ from the numbers of flights booked due to the delay between the date of the flight bookings and the submission/payment of claims. For example, flights have been booked in 2011 and trips undertaken but the related expenses claims have not yet been submitted or paid.
A significant proportion of foreign trips undertaken are in relation to Irish representation at EU meetings. The cost of air travel is recoupable from the EU in these cases. A total of €491,364.64 was recouped from the EU since the beginning of 2009.
My Department operates a restrictive approach to foreign travel. Attendance at meetings abroad is determined in each case following careful consideration of the need to travel in order to represent national interests and of the appropriate level of representation.
