Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2010
496 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the savings that have been made in his Department through the use of open source software packages and generic consumables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39915/10]
View answerIt is my Department's policy (subject to compliance with public procurement procedures) to use whenever possible and practicable open source software packages and to purchase generic IT consumables that are fit for purpose and offer value for money in terms of quality and suitability. Ongoing annual savings of approximately €40,000 are being achieved. The move to open source software packages has allowed the Department to reduce capital expenditure by circa €1.4 million over the last three years.
