Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Uniforms.

Ivor Callely

Question:

93 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost of uniforms issued by his Department or authorities under the aegis of his Department for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; if he will give a breakdown of such costs; the level, volume and value of stock in store; if he will give details of the quality of materials used; the feedback, if any, there has been on the comfort and benefit to the users of the uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

My Department issues uniforms to service officers and to a very small number of other staff working in selected areas, e.g., information section. The service officer uniforms are supplied by the Government Supplies Agency while other uniforms are purchased directly by the Department.

Bodies under the aegis of my Department do not issue uniforms to staff. However, the Pensions Board, in 1996 only, made a contribution of £1,590 towards the cost of certain staff uniforms.

The total cost of uniforms issued by my Department for the years in question are as follows: 1994 — £9,681; 1995 — £11,867 and 1996 — £20,956.

The costs for each category of uniform purchased are as follows:

		£
1994	Service OfficerOther Staff	7,0522,629
1995	Service OfficerOther Staff	9,6062,261
1996	Service OfficerOther Staff	17,3383,618

The significant increase in costs in 1996 arose because in that year, for the first time, jumpers were supplied as part of the Service Officer uniform and full uniforms were supplied to Service Officers serving in all locations.

All uniforms are ordered, as required, and no uniforms are held in stock in my Department.

The material for the service officers' uniforms is selected by the Government Supplies Agency and my Department has no input into this selection.The material in the uniforms supplied to other staff is pure new wool and the uniforms are made in Ireland. All uniforms supplied are very comfortable and practical and there has been no adverse feedback from the staff who are required to wear them.

Ivor Callely

Question:

94 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the cost of uniforms issued by his Department or authorities under the aegis of his Department for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; if he will give a breakdown of such costs; the level, volume and value of stock in store; if he will give details of the quality of materials used; the feedback, if any, there has been on the comfort and benefit to the users of the uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11108/97]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

My Department does not issue uniforms to its staff.

The issuing of uniforms to staff in the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day matter for the agencies themselves.