Vol. 573 No. 3
384 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the overall figure within his Department for the percentages, quantities and costs of recycled and non-recycled paper and paper products used by his Department in the last period for which figures are available; and the plans his Department has to increase its use of recycled paper and paper products, and cut down on the use of non-recycled paper and paper products. [25438/03]
The Department of Education and Science spent approximately €2.04 million on stationery in 2002. The stationery purchased consisted of examination materials, paper, envelopes and other office stationery. The stationery was required for the efficient maintenance of office services and the printing of examination papers etc. Paper is purchased under the Government Supplies Agency contract for the supply of photocopying paper.
The Department is not in a position to quantify the proportions of recycled paper and non-recycled paper purchased. However, a concerted effort is being made to increase the use of recycled products in the future. In this context also, the Department recycled in excess of 140 tonnes of waste paper in 2002.
