Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2018
189. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Department officials and advisers who travelled to the launch of the NDP and NPF in County Sligo; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9148/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040, comprised of the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework, represents a key strategy to build the infrastructure that our Transport, Tourism and Sport sectors need to meet both current and future demands.
The entire Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport contributed in some way to the development of the National Development Plan over recent months. The agencies and state bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport were also key contributors and their support was invaluable. In fact some key officials have been working on the National Planning Framework in consultation with colleagues in other Government Departments for a number of years.
On the day of the launch itself, three Departmental officials were also present at the launch of Project Ireland 2040 in County Sligo. A number of briefing sessions were planned for the day and as some of those happened concurrent with the Government meeting it was appropriate to have representatives of the Department on hand to help with queries. As is normal in such circumstances, costs associated with official travel are eligible to be paid in line with standard Civil Service rates; however, no costs have yet been paid. It is the practice in my Department that travel costs are claimed soon after they are incurred and I am sure that this will be the case in this instance too.
Much of the promotional material used was produced centrally with our input but at no direct cost to my Department. Therefore direct expenses incurred by this Department relating to the launch are likely to fall with a range of between €1,000 and €2,000.
