Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 817: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent by his Department on briefcases; the amount refunded to staff in his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [29409/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has made no purchases of briefcases this year and no refunds have been made to staff in respect of briefcases.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 818: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of personal digital assistants provided to staff in his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [29424/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Late in 2004 the Blackberry was selected as the standard PDA for use in my Department. There have been 17 Blackberry personal digital assistants provided to staff members since then at a cost of €4,028.30. The most expensive device purchased to date cost €249.01.

Blackberry personal digital assistants are issued to staff on a case by case basis subject to a recommendation by the relevant line management, usually principal officer or equivalent level, that the device is required for the efficient and effective operation of the staff member and section in question. The ICT unit of my Department controls the issuing of devices. The devices have been issued to the following grades: secretary general, one; assistant secretary general, two; principal officer, four; principal adviser, one; assistant principal officer, three; private secretary to Minister, one; press and information officer, one; higher executive officer, two; and clerical officer IT unit, two.