President's travel budget to drop 8%

ARAS AN UACHTARAIN: The President, Mrs McAleese, has had her travel and subsistence budget cut by 8 per cent as part of the …

ARAS AN UACHTARAIN: The President, Mrs McAleese, has had her travel and subsistence budget cut by 8 per cent as part of the clawback on public spending.

The total Áras an Uachtaráin budget will drop 2 per cent next year, from €1,985,000 to €1,955,000.

This year the President's travel and subsistence budget was €180,000, compared to €165,000 earmarked for 2003. The office machinery and supplies budget has been cut 11 per cent, from €140,000 this year to €125,000 next year.

A spokeswoman for the President said last night the cuts were part of the general tightening of the public finances.

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However, she said the reduction would not result in the President, Mrs McAleese, having to cancel any foreign trips planned for 2003.

The majority of Government departments have taken a cut in travel and subsistence allowances in the Estimates. The Department of Justice has seen its travel budget drop 9 per cent, from €1,259,000 million to €1,149,000 million. The Chief State Solicitor's office has taken the biggest hit, with its travel budget dropping 24 per cent, from €207,000 this year to €157,000 next year.