asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the estimated amount that his Department will pay to Telecom Éireann and An Post during 1987 for services rendered; if it is possible to make savings in these areas of expenditure; and if he will give the corresponding figures for the 1986 out-turn.
Written Answers. - Telephone and Postal Costs.
130.
The amounts estimated to be paid to Telecom Éireann and An Post by my Department in 1987 and actually paid in 1986 were as follows:
|
1986 |
1987 |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Telecom Éireann |
239,000 |
300,000 |
|
An Post |
66,000 |
68,000 |
The anticipated payment to Telecom Éireann in 1987 includes some charges in respect of the cost of the installation of a new telephone system in the Department in 1986 which were incurred in that year but not billed until 1987. The savings already accruing from this new system can be gauged from the fact that payments to Telecom Éireann in 1984 and 1985 were £325,000 and £393,000 respectively.
Similarly the introduction of new postage procedures have reduced costs from £108,000 in 1984 to their present levels.
The expenditure on telephone and postage services has already been substantially reduced and is constantly under review in order to seek whatever savings are feasible without impeding the proper functioning of my Department in its dealings with the public and business sector.