The figures were revealed as a result of a parliamentary question and take in expenditure for hospitality, entertainment and catering.
The total sum could be even higher because the NIO does not count all the agencies it spends money on within these areas.
The total hospitality and catering breakdown is as follows:
2007-08 £326,000
2006-07 £575,000
2005-06 £271,000
2004-05 £236,000
2003-04 £336,000
Public spending is expected to be increasingly squeezed over the next 12 months and hospitality could be an area hit. In conversations with Event magazine, many suppliers have expressed concern that the public sector, traditionally a stable source of income, could be a difficult avenue for business in 2010.
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