Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proportion of her Department's training budget that is spent on refunds to staff in respect of night-time or weekend study courses; the list of all courses funded by her Department in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29381/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The following table sets out my Department's breakdown of refund of fees as a percentage of the training budget. I have also listed for the Deputy the night-time and weekend courses staff have undertaken in my Department over the last three academic years.

Name of courses refunded in last three years: MSc in organisation behaviour; master in information studies; MSc in health service management; MSc in social psychology; MBS in strategic international marketing; masters in information studies librarianship; MSc in strategic international marketing; MS in international relations; masters in social science; MSc in business administration; MSc in strategic management; BSc in computing science; higher diploma in public management; higher diploma in health care; BA in community studies; BA modular degree — arts; BA in public management; BA in psychology; Open University health and disease degree; degree in biological science; BA in community development; BA in local and community studies; BA in psychology and sociology; BA in training and education; diploma in humanities; diploma in information technology; diploma in information systems; diploma in Irish; diploma in policy analysis; diploma in Oracle database programme; NCI diploma in people management; diploma in legal studies; diploma in business studies; diploma in management and employee relations; Chartered Institute of Management and Accountancy; accountancy — Chartered Institute of Management Accountants; certificate in public management; IMI supervisory management course; certificate in supervisory management; certificate in employee assistance and social support certificate in personnel practice; Gaeleagras; Spanish course; Cursa Gaeltachta Bhord na Gaeilge; ECDL; Portuguese language; Advanced Word; introduction to human resource management; and foundation in criminal law.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by her Department on briefcases; the amount refunded to staff in her Department in respect of purchases of briefcases; the number of staff who have received briefcases; the number of staff who have received refunds for briefcases they purchased; the largest single amount paid or refunded in respect of one briefcase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29396/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Briefcases are only provided to members of staff in cases where a specific official need has been identified. Since 2002, a total of approximately €1,143 was spent on the purchase of briefcases for eight staff members — the most expensive of which cost €250. A total of €512 of that total amount was refunded directly to four members of staff on production of receipts.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of personal digital assistants provided to staff in her Department; the cost of same; the cost of the most expensive personal digital assistant purchased to date; the grades to which these devices are issued; if personal digital assistants are issued as a matter of course or are subject to preparation of a business case which is subsequently scrutinised; if so, by whom the final decision on allocation of personal digital assistants is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29411/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There are 25 personal digital assistant, PDA, type devices in use in my Department. The devices most commonly in use, which are also used as mobile phones, cost €200 each, exclusive of VAT. These are also the most expensive purchased to date. These devices are distributed to grades as follows:

PDA devices are not issued as a matter of course. They are only given to staff who, either for technical or business reasons, are away from their offices on a regular basis and require e-mail and telephone contact with head office both during and outside office hours. Requests are considered on an individual basis and the allocation of devices is managed by the internal systems unit in my Department. The PDA devices in use give 24-hour, 7 days a week, year-round access to mail, calendar, contact and voice communications and are a vital communications facility for certain staff who need to be in constant contact with colleagues.