John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs that are borne by his Department relative to his constituency office and home such as telephone, IT 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. [15175/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not pay any costs in relation to the leasing of my constituency office in Kilkenny.

In relation to IT services, my Department has an agreement with the Houses of the Oireachtas for Managed Support Services for IT hardware and a connection to the Houses of Oireachtas database for my constituency office based on the model of the service currently provided to Deputies and Senators. The 2011 cost is estimated at €5,878.

Arrangements for the staffing of my constituency office are not yet finalised. However, the office will be staffed in accordance with the agreed reduced staffing limits decided by the Government. At present a Clerical Officer from my Department is assigned to work in my constituency office at the appropriate salary point.