Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of laptops in use in his Department; the number of tablets in use in his Department; the number of the laptops in use that are due to be upgraded this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17577/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department's records indicate that there are currently 81 laptops in use across the Department. None of these are due to be upgraded this year.

While no tablet devices have been issued to staff, my Department's ICT unit is currently testing their suitability for official use and to that end 5 Apple iPads and 5 BlackBerry Playbooks have been acquired.

The upcoming Irish presidency of the EU will place significant additional pressures on my Department. Staff will be required to travel extensively whilst co-ordinating activities with colleagues at home, and collaborating with officers from other Government Departments and Agencies. Accordingly, to increase productivity and to ensure staff have timely access to important information, my Department is currently reviewing its requirements for additional mobile computing devices.