Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Ceisteanna (804)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

813 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of telephones that were purchased by his Department in the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff who were allocated these telephones; if each staff member has their mobile telephone bill paid by his Department; the amount that was spent on mobile telephones by his Department during 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36090/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

The table indicates the number of mobile telephones that were purchased for staff and the corresponding number of staff these phones were allocated to, during the periods in questions. These figures include replacement phones that were sought, the majority of which are free under the Framework agreement as negotiated by the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform. Staff members that have been assigned phones for official business have their bill paid for by the Department.

	2010	2011	2012
Phones bought	53	68	19
Number of staff these phones were allocated to	48	66	19
Amount in thousands: The amounts quoted include cost for mobile phone calls, rental and purchase. A breakdown for these items is not readily available.	159	135	79