Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Uniforms.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

141 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the cost of uniforms issued by his Department or authorities under the aegis of his Department for each of the years from 1994 to 1996; if he will give a breakdown of such costs; the level, volume and value of stock in store; if he will give details of the quality of materials used; the feedback, if any, there has been on the comfort and benefit to the users of the uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11095/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Uniforms issued by my Department are obtained through the Government Supplies Agency. No stocks are held in the Department. The cost of uniforms supplied for the years 1994 to 1996 is as follows: 1994, £7,003.72; 1995, £12,195.27 and 1996, £5,129.48.

Quality of materials is decided in conjunction with the Government Supplies Agency. During 1996 uniforms were supplied directly by the Department for a number of officials involved with the organisation and running of the informal Agriculture Council and Special Agriculture Committee meetings, the European Conference on Rural Development and the Conference of Directors of EU Intervention Paying Agencies during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. The cost of these uniforms was £9,668.

No complaints have been received in relation to the uniforms.