Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15436/16]
View answerMy Department incurred expenditure totalling €14,411.85 on daily newspapers in 2015. In addition the Irish Prison Service (IPS) incurred expenditure totalling €37,798 in 2015 for newspapers and other publications. The IPS amount covers all publications including newspapers and it is not possible to provide a breakdown for daily newspapers only.
At present this expenditure is considered appropriate. It is not always possible to access relevant articles on-line. Also newspapers are shared between multiple staff members and also between Divisions, something that would not be possible with on-line subscriptions.
However, my Department regularly reviews all expenditure made in order to get the best value for money.
