Ministerial Travel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2017

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Ceisteanna (173)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of trips outside the State taken by either him or the Minister of State at his Department in tabular form; the destinations; the purpose of each trip; the duration of each trip; the officials who accompanied the Minister or Minister of State on each trip; and the costs of flights, accommodation and any other expenses incurred, per person, on each trip. [7731/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I have made six trips outside the State since taking up office in May 2016. The details requested by the Deputy in relation to these trips are set out in the following table. In some instances, the figures relating to the costs incurred may not be final, as claims for these trips have still to be submitted by all of those who travelled or may not have not been fully processed.

The Minister of State at the Departments of Social Protection, Justice and Equality and Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, has not made any trips outside the State in his capacity as Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection.

Details of travel outside the State by Minister Varadkar and accompanying Officials from 6 May 2016

Destination	Purpose of trip	Duration of trip	Minister/ Official	Cost of flights €	Cost of accommodation €	Other expenses €
Luxembourg	Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO)	15/6/2016 – 16/6/2016	Minister Varadkar	(Note 1)	185.00	100.97
			Assistant Secretary	556.88
			Private Secretary	520.18	376.83 (Note 2)
			Ministerial Advisor	492.18
Slovakia	Informal EPSCO	13/7/2016 – 16/07/2016	Minister Varadkar	335.02	350.00	61.25
			Assistant Secretary	206.72
			Principal Officer	279.46
			Private Secretary	333.02	533.95	232.75
Vienna	World Economic Forum – new leaders for Europe	10/11/2016 – 13/11/2016	Minister Varadkar	439.80	510.00
			Private Secretary	498.35	510.00	247.50
Brussels	EPSCO	7/12/2016 – 9/12/2016	Minister Varadkar	157.57	360.00
			Assistant Secretary	103.96
			Private Secretary	157.58	540.00	296.00
			Ministerial Advisor	150.22
London	Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions	1/2/2017 – 3/2/2017	Minister Varadkar	69.04	£156.06 (Note 3)
			Assistant Secretary	89.98	£327.42
			Principal Officer	126.98
			Assistant Principal	89.98	£327.42
			Private Secretary	155.73	£156.06	318.83
			Ministerial Advisor	69.04	£156.06
Peru and Columbia	Accompanying President Higgins on official visit	8/2/2017 – 13/2/2017	Minister Varadkar	3,353.51
			Private Secretary	3,353.51

Note 1: No airfare costs – refunded by EU Council.

Note 2: Costs include other expenses.

Note 3: These figures relate to the costs of accommodation as booked and are therefore, quoted in sterling. Claims for this trip are still to be submitted and processed.