Enda Kenny
Ceist:167 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of video conferencing facilities in the possession of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30874/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Facilities.
My Department is extensively decentralised and makes regular use of video conferencing technologies to facilitate meetings between staff who are based in geographically diverse locations. Many meetings can be satisfactorily conducted using video conferencing
A total of nine video conferencing units have been installed in fixed locations in the Department, three in Agriculture House, Dublin, and one each in the Department's regional offices in Maynooth, Cavan, Castlebar, Wexford, Portlaoise and my own office in Clonakilty. These units facilitate concurrent conferencing between two to four locations and are situated in conference rooms to facilitate ease of access for all staff. A number of mobile video conferencing units have also been purchased and have been used to facilitate video conferencing where these conference rooms are already in use.
The staff of my Department have welcomed the introduction of these new technologies, as it provides them with the ability to participate in some meetings without the need to travel. It also facilitates involvement in meetings that are called at short notice for staff at other locations.