Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence the details of the Departmental funding allocated to office equipment and external IT services; the money paid to external companies; the names of these companies and the services they provided for both 2010 and 2011. [6829/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The overall departmental funding allocated to office equipment and external IT services was €2.4 million in both 2010 and 2011. This allocation covered the purchase of IT equipment and software, ongoing licence support costs, office equipment purchases and externally provided maintenance and ongoing support. The payments to external companies for ongoing support, the names of these companies and the services they provided in 2010 and 2011 are contained in a tabular statement that I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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The amount is significant, but it covers a wide range of equipment and services. When the Minister referred to licence supports, did he mean licence fees? What percentage would be paid towards licences rather than the purchase of new equipment?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A large proportion of the allocation for office equipment and external IT services covers ongoing licence support costs, which the Deputy will see from the tabular statement are fairly static. They have not changed for a considerable time.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Are they on a contract basis and are we tied into contracts?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Yes, there are contracts. The tabular statement details the different companies. As there is a large number, I do not want to read out their names. It would probably be unnecessary. The statement provides the company names and the services they provide, for example, website support, call cost monitoring support, etc. It also outlines the costs in 2010 and 2011. The variations in costings are detailed. If the Deputy has further questions on any individual item, he is welcome to table a parliamentary question or to write to me about the matter. We will ensure he gets a response.