Vol. 428 No. 6
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants or advisers who are acting for himself or his Ministers of State which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The following relevant items of telecommunications equipment have been provided to the persons in question and paid for through my Department's Vote: a direct line for the use of my special adviser; a direct line for the use of my programme manager; a direct line for the use of the personal secretary to Minister of State Kitt and a mobile telephone for the use of my programme manager.
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his Ministers of State, programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
One extra mobile phone, provided for my programme manager, has been purchased since the formation of the Government. The line rental on the phone is £270 per annum; other charges are variable, subject to usage.
79 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his Ministers of State, special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As each Minister will be responding to this question individually my reply relates to the provision of telecommunications equipment in respect of my own office and those of my Ministers of State. The total cost of the provision of such equipment for the year ending 31 December 1992 was £13,811.
80 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers who are acting for himself or his Minister of State which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Three mobile phones and one paging unit are provided from the Vote for Foreign Affairs for use by individuals in the categories mentioned. The normal fax and telephone facilities are available to all staff in the Department.
Two fax machines and three telephone lines have been provided in respect of the individuals referred to in the categories listed above and these items will be paid for from the Vote of the Office of the Tánaiste.
81 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his Minister of State, special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Expenditure from the Vote for Foreign Affairs on purchase of telecommunications equipment for the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and for use by individuals in the categories mentioned was £7,878.31 in the year ending 31 December 1992.
82 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his Minister of State, programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
No extra mobile phones or car telephones were provided from the Vote for Foreign Affairs since the formation of the Government. Two mobile phones have been provided in the Office of the Tánaiste since the formation of the Government.
The capital cost of these items was £2,359.50 inclusive of VAT, and the rental cost for each line in a full year is £270. The cost of telephone calls will be determined by the particular usage of each phone.
83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers who are acting for himself or his Ministers of State which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In so far as my Department is concerned one mobile telephone and one fax machine have been provided for my special adviser. The programme manager has been provided with one mobile phone, one direct line and a tie line to Leinster House.
These officers also have the use of the Department's telephone system, each having an extension.
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his Ministers of State, special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total cost of the provision of telephone equipment for my Department and the officers under its aegis for myself, my Ministers of State, special advisers, and other such persons in the year ending 31 December 1992 was £5,795.
85 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his Ministers of State, programme managers, advisers or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Since the formation of the Government a mobile phone has been provided for the programme manager in my Department. A mobile phone and a "hands free" kit have also been provided for the Minister of State's driver.
The rental on each phone will be £270 in a full year. It is not possible to say what other associated costs will arise as this will be dependent on the usage of the equipment.
