AQW 935/16-21


Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim


Tabled Date: 09/06/2016
Answered On Date: 02/08/2016
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the persons or bodies to whom their Department have provided hospitality; and (ii) the cost of providing this hospitality in each of the last twelve months.


Answer:
Details of the persons or bodies to whom hospitality has been provided are not held centrally on the Department’s financial accounting system.
The following table sets out the costs incurred by the Department in respect of hospitality during the twelve months ended 31 May 2016. Information has been provided separately for the three overseas offices (Office of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Brussels, Northern Ireland Bureau Washington and Northern Ireland Bureau China) as hospitality for these offices includes promoting Northern Ireland’s capabilities internationally and developing mutually beneficial relationships with targeted countries, regions and international organisations to enhance our credibility and realise tangible benefits for our community.
Month
Total Cost for OFMDFM (£)
Costs for Overseas Offices (£)
Cost excluding Overseas Offices(£)
June 2015
15,329
7,190
8,139
July 2015
13,934
12,955
979
August 2015
4,776
4,279
497
September 2015
9,583
4,787
4,796
October 2015
7,598
4,880
2,718
November 2015
10,375
5,409
4,966
December 2015
11,944
9,146
2,798
January 2016
15,380
14,117
1,263
February 2016
13,119
6,961
6,158
March 2016
29,810
24,261
5,548
April 2016
6,048
3,173
2,875
May 2016
6,170
4,052
2,118
Total
144,066
101,211
42,855