Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Transport the savings that have been made in his Department through the use of open source software packages and generic consumables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39928/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently uses open source software packages on a limited scale. Developments in the area are carefully monitored and the possible use of such packages is considered in the context of upgrading the Department's Software Systems. It is estimated that the Department has saved approximately €4,650 by use of Open Source Software Packages.

My Department makes use of the central procurement service for Government Departments provided by the National Procurement Service. The contracts in place allow supplies to be ordered from the supplier's commercial catalogues at discounted prices and the Department makes use of generic consumables whenever possible. It is estimated that the Department has saved approximately €23,400 by the use of generic consumables.