Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department makes the Irish national daily newspapers available on-line for staff within his Department; the number of staff at each grade who each day receive a copy of one Irish daily newspaper which is also available on-line; the number of staff who each day receive a copy of more than one newspaper which is also available on-line; the cost in 2005 of purchases of each printed daily newspaper in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16441/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not make national daily newspapers available on-line but it has an arrangement through which press cuttings relevant to the functions of the Department are made available to staff with internet access.

The Secretary General, three Assistant Secretaries and the Minister's Special Adviser each receive copies of more than one national daily newspaper. In addition nine Principal Officers and thirteen Assistant Principal Officers each receive one national daily newspaper.

The total cost in 2005 of providing these newspapers was €11,600 approx. Records are not retained on a basis that would allow an accurate breakdown of the cost in respect of each national daily newspaper.