Vol. 465 No. 2
127 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the procedures in place within his Department for monitoring the use of mobile phones by unestablished staff for purposes which are personal to the authorised user; the plans, if any, he has for improvements in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9395/96]
Monthly detailed statements of telephone calls are sent to staff— including unestablished staff — who have mobile phones in the Department. Official calls are certified and, where appropriate, the cost of personal calls is refunded. I have no plans for any changes in the procedures which have been in place for sometime and are working satisfactorily.
128 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the procedures in place within his Department for monitoring the use of mobile phones by unestablished staff for purposes which are personal to the authorised user; the plans, if any, he has for improvements in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9396/96]
A system is in place under which all users of mobile phones are obliged to reimburse the Department in respect of personal calls made by them, based on itemised telephone bills provided on a regular basis to the staff concerned. In addition, staff who use mobile phones are encouraged, because it is more cost efficient, to use land phones wherever feasible.
129 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the procedures in place within his Department for monitoring the use of mobile phones by unestablished staff for purposes which are personal to the authorised user; the plans, if any, he has for improvements in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9397/96]
Itemised telephone bills are received in respect of mobile phones. When calls are identified as being of a personal nature, the individual concerned is required to pay for such calls. I am satisfied that this system ensures that only official calls are paid for out of Exchequer funds.
