Vol. 477 No. 1
237 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the total cost of mobile telephones and their use for the year ending 1996 for personnel working in his Department; and the estimated costs for 1997. [8546/97]
The total cost in 1996 of rental and call charges on mobile phones held by officers in my Department was approximately £31,000, VAT inclusive. The estimated annual cost for mobile phone usage in 1997 is £30,000, VAT inclusive. Mobile phones are made available to those staff in my Department who, by the very nature of their work, require the use of these facilities during the course of their official duties.
