Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
446. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average costs associated with processing and answering written and oral parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the average cost of processing and answering a Parliamentary Question will vary considerably according to the nature of the question asked.
Parliamentary Questions are assigned to the particular Division(s) of my Department dealing with the subject matter(s) and replies are prepared as part of the normal work of that Division. The number and level of staff and the time spent on an individual answer depends on the complexity of the issue raised, the form in which the information exists and is requested, and whether an oral or written reply is required.
Therefore, while my Department expends a lot of time and effort processing and answering Parliamentary Questions, it is not possible to calculate the average cost.
