Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 677: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff in his Department for whom two or more phone lines have been provided at their home; the number of lines provided in each case; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently provides two or more phone lines to the homes of twenty-eight members of staff, all of whom operate away from the Department's main offices. In the case of twenty-two of the staff concerned, two phones lines are required to provide telephone and Internet access as broadband is not available. The other six staff concerned are provided with three phone lines: these staff regularly access the newly introduced Development Applications Tracking System, which requires high band-width connections that, in the absence of broadband in their specific areas, can only be provided by using two dedicated phone lines, in addition to the line required for telephone connection.

The provision of phone lines to staff members is reviewed regularly in the context of changing working patterns and the availability of improved communications links.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 678: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money paid to the training officers in his Department in respect of travel and subsistence allowances; the number of training days organised; and if the relocation of CMOD to Tullamore has had an impact on the work of training officers or on the work of those who attend courses there. [13062/07]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 679: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average amount of travel and subsistence allowances paid by his Department in respect of attendance at pre-retirement planning courses prior to the relocation of the Civil Service Training Centre to Tullamore; the average amount paid in respect of attendance at the same course since the centre was relocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13092/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 679 together.

The Department has a number of offices outside Dublin. Training courses are provided to staff as required and may involve travel to Dublin or to other locations. In the period 2004-2006, a total of €10,809 in travel and subsistence was paid to my Department's training officers. During that time a total of 9,981.5 training days were organised. In the three-year period from mid-2003 to mid-2006, the average amount of travel and subsistence paid in respect of attendance at pre-retirement planning courses was €577. Since July 2006, thirteen employees of the Department have attended training courses in the CMOD in Tullamore. Of these, five attended pre-retirement planning courses. The average amount of travel and subsistence paid in respect of attendance at pre-retirement planning courses since July 2006 was €482. The relocation of the CMOD to Tullamore has had no impact on the work of the Department's Training Officer.