Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1618, 1619)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1618. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will detail in tabular form the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1619. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37463/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1618 and 1619 together.

For accounting purposes the term "entertainment" refers to expenditure incurred in circumstances from hosting lunches working lunches,meetings for delegations and visiting health experts to the hosting of receptions for attendees at health related conferences.

It is not possible to provide the level of detail of information sought by the Deputy as the financial management system of my Department does not provide for this information to be collated. The total cost to the Department in relation to entertainment during the period concerned is € 5,171.70. This expenditure was incurred as follows:

Office	Cost
Minister Reilly	4,207.57
Ministers Shortall / Lynch	17.91
Secretary General	946.22