Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010

Wednesday, 29 September 2010

Ceisteanna (795)

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

886 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff in the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33645/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

My Department's expenditure on mobile phones for the periods in question is as per the following table.

Year	€
2007	170,695.32
2008	138,680.24
2009	103,951.25
2010 (6 months)	1,107.65

There are currently 167 staff with mobile phones paid for by my Department.

My Department has utilised the framework agreement for mobile services as provided by the Department of Finance, and currently both Vodafone and O2 are contracted to provide these services.

I am satisfied that my Department is achieving value for money and is regularly exploring further efficiencies for mobile services.