Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to reduce bills for telecommunications services in his Department in Budget 2013. [39495/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces actively manage both landline and mobile services. This management has delivered significant efficiencies and cost savings. Expenditure on landline and mobile services in the Department of Defence fell by 13% between 2009 and 2010 and by a further 21% between 2010 and 2011. Expenditure on landline and mobile services in the Defence Forces fell by over 5% between 2009 and 2010 and by over 15% between 2010 and 2011. The details of expenditure for 2009 to 2011 are contained in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report. The decentralisation of the Department of Defence to Newbridge Co. Kildare in late 2010 entailed the installation of a comprehensive new telecoms infrastructure. This installation provided a more robust and future-proofed telecoms infrastructure while delivering recurring cost savings.

The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces will continue to actively manage telecommunications services into 2013. In particular, ongoing efficiencies will be sought in the context of the use of Government Frameworks by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The Department and the Defence Forces constantly seek to drive out costs while meeting business and security requirements.

Mobile and Landline Bills 2009 – 2011

Department of Defence

Mobile and Landline Bills 2009 – 2011

Defence Forces