Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1460. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on food and drink by her Department; if she will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37456/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is extremely conscious of the need to keep expenditure on items such as food and drink to a minimum. As such, controls are in place to ensure that refreshments are only provided at meetings where there is a valid business reason to do so. This would generally involve provision of in-house tea, coffee and biscuits in situations where external groups or bodies are involved. The work of my Department involves meetings with various stakeholders and groups working with children and young people and light refreshments would often be appropriate in these circumstances. The total amount spent on refreshments of this nature since January 2012 is €3,932. In addition, €1,586 has been spent on official entertainment relating to lunches.
