Vol. 546 No. 5
124 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of hits received by his Department's website for the year 2001; the number of staff assigned to maintain the website; the cost of maintaining the website for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32470/01]
The number of hits received by my Department's website was approximately 6.5 million for the period from January to October this year. Statistics for November and December are not yet available. This figure shows a significant increase over previous years. Some of this increase can be attributed to a greater level of interest in my Department's website during the foot and mouth crisis earlier this year. Three staff are currently assigned to maintain the website, two of whom do so on a part-time basis.
The cost of the maintenance of the website is wholly related to the provision of staff and will be approximately £70,680 for 2001, based on the standard Department of Finance calculation of staff costs. The site is currently hosted by the Department of Finance which bears any associated costs.
