NEWS

DARD's travel costs nearly £4m
By Steven Moore

Staff with the Department of Agriculture claimed close to £4 million in travelling expenses during the past financial year.
The amount spent on travel by individuals amounted to some £3,900,170 during 2008-9, according to Minister Michelle Gildernew.
DARD defended its costs, claiming that staff had notched up seven million miles on legitimate and necessary business in the 12 month period.
A spokesperson said: "Such responsibilities include on-site advice, inspection and meetings with customers and others, relating to a wide range of veterinary, agriculture, fishing, forestry and rivers functions.
"Included within this cost is reimbursement for around seven million business miles incurred by staff in the course of their duties."
DARD has a staff of 2,900 civil servants and an annual budget of £240 million.
The bill for travelling expenses would, if it were evenly spread, equate to approximately £1,345 per member of staff, though obviously the majority of those working for the department are office based and would rarely need to claim for mileage allowance.
DUP MLA Alex Easton posed the same question on travelling costs to each of the 11 government departments - with DARD emerging as having incurred the highest amount from the eight departments that have so far provided figures.

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November 13th 2009
November 6th 2009