John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the costs that are born by his Department relative to his constituency office and home such as telephone, information technology services and so on; if the lease or rent of a constituency office is paid or part paid for by his Department; the number of civil servants appointed to carry out constituency work for him based in the Department or in the constituency office; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15172/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I do not have an office in my constituency. In line with normal practice for Ministers, constituency staff working on constituency matters share office space with other staff in my Department's building on Adelaide Road.

It is not possible to disaggregate the costs for elements such as telephone, IT services, energy, maintenance, furniture and lease of the building. These costs are invoiced and recorded for the building in its entirety and it is not possible to separate out costs for a small number of staff in one area who are carrying out certain functions. No additional equipment was purchased by the Department to service constituency requirements. The lease costs of the Adelaide Road building are met from the Vote of the Office of Public Works.

My Department has not incurred any costs in relation to my home. There are two civil servants engaged on constituency matters within my Department at a cumulative salary cost of €73,799 per annum.