Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

509 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the amount his Department spent in 2002 on information technology software licences; the proportion of this budget which was spent on the products of a company (details supplied); if his Department uses Linux or similar open source software; and if it has a policy position in regard to the promotion and use of such open source software, in the interests of cost savings or the development of a more transparent software industry. [23179/03]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

My Department spent €1.24 million on software licences in 2002. Some 7.3% of this total was spent on Microsoft products. The total does not include software that is supplied as standard with hardware products as suppliers do not distinguish between these hardware and software costs.

Linux is currently used in my Department. However, my Department does not have a specific policy in relation to the promotion and use of open source software. Generally software is selected using a number of criteria, including its ability to meet the needs of the Department, the quality of support and overall costs including capital cost and ongoing support and licensing costs.