Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2011

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Ceisteanna (345)

Simon Harris

Ceist:

347 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget available to her Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within her Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under her remit for 2010 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23451/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The capital allocation for the Department (including the General Registrar's Office) for 2010 in respect of IT equipment was EUR 5.42m and the allocation for 2011 is EUR 4.1m.

The procurement of any IT equipment by the Department is carried out via a competitive tendering process, in which value for money is a key factor. The Department also makes use of framework contracts placed centrally by the Department of Finance for the supply of PCs, laptops etc.

In relation to the relevant State agencies, it has not proved possible in the time available to obtain the required information but I have arranged for the agencies to furnish the information requested for their respective organisations, and this will be passed on to you when received.