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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (141)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

141. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54211/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. Vote 28 incorporates the majority of Ireland’s 83 diplomatic and consular Missions abroad while Vote 27 encompasses a small number of development-focused Missions, mostly in Africa.

Total taxi hire costs for both Votes for 2018, including domestic and Mission costs, amount provisionally to €350,625.00. This amount is based on provisional out-turn figures and are subject to change as we finalise the year end account.

Given the nature of my Department’s responsibilities, officers are obliged to undertake a significant amount of official international travel, often taking place during unsociable hours when the safety and security of Officers necessitates travel by taxi. Officers across the growing Mission network also travel to frequent meetings and out-of-hours events as part of their core official duties where it may often be only feasible by taxi.

Travel expenditure is being actively minimised. Provisional 2018 taxi expenditure was marginally higher than 2017 (€337,872; 3.7%) but this is in the context of increased diplomatic activity at European and international level brought about by Brexit preparations and our United Nations Security Council campaign, an expanded Mission network and a larger workforce.

Departmental travel policy aims to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties. My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on official travel.

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