Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
325. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of officials in his Department that are receiving the cost of club membership fees, including sports clubs and professional bodies, as part of their contract of employment; the total cost per year to his Department of paying these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51360/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department pays no club membership fees to any member of staff. It does, however, pay registration fees to the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) in respect of veterinary staff employed by my Department. Such staff must, in the context of their contracts of employment with my Department, be registered in the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s Register of Veterinary Practitioners and may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.
A total of €126,450 in respect of veterinary registration fees amounting to €450 per staff member was paid by my Department to the Veterinary Council of Ireland. My Department also pays professional membership fees to other professional bodies in respect of a number of professional grades in my Department, where such membership provides access to documentation or training relevant to the profession. A sum of €3,364 has been paid on foot of these memberships this year to date.
