Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of telephones and ICT provided to the constituency offices including monthly phone bills of Ministers and Junior Ministers in his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12402/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Minister Quinn's Constituency Office is operated from within the Department of Education and Skills. Apart from telephone handsets, which were replaced in April 2012 as part of a standard upgrading of all telephones within my Department, no additional or replacement ICT equipment has been assigned to this office since March 2011. Mobile phone costs for this office since March 2011 amount to €411.02.

The following costs were incurred by the Department in respect of Minister Ciarán Cannon's Constituency Offices:

- ICT equipment: €1,199.13;

- Fixed Voice (including broadband in Loughrea): €4,722.40

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any additional costs other than telephones, ICT and monthly phone bills are being paid to constituency office by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12420/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The total cost to my Department for the provision on non-ICT related office equipment in constituency offices is €3,846.59 in respect of a photocopier purchased for Minister of State Cannon's constituency office in Galway in July 2011. Other incidental office costs, such as heating and lighting, are met as part of my Department's overall energy costs.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mobile phones in use by him and Junior Minister and politically appointed staff; the total costs of the mobile phones since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12438/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There are 8 mobile phones used by myself, Minister Ciarán Cannon and politically appointed staff. The total cost of these phones since March 2011 is €9,113.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of drivers of each vehicle assigned to him and Junior Ministers in his Department since March 2011; the mileage and other costs claimed in respect of each since March 2011; the overall yearly costs of Ministerial cars in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12456/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The following tabular statement contains the information sought by the Deputy. My Department does not hold details of the yearly costs of ministerial cars in 2010, as the provision of ministerial cars and garda drivers at that time was administered by the former Department of Justice.

However, I understand the cost of the previous Ministerial Transport arrangements under the last Fianna Fail - Green Party government was estimated at the time of costing €280,000 per Minister per annum.

On taking office the Government introduced new travel arrangements for Ministers. The majority of Ministers now use their own cars and are paid for official mileage up to 96,540 kilometres or 60,000 miles per annum. Civilian drivers are paid a weekly wage.

The following is a tabular statement of costs associated with the provision of Ministerial Transport for the 31st Dáil from 2011 to March 2013.

Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D.Minister for Education & Skills

Mr. Ciaran Cannon, T.D.Minister of StateDepartment of Education & Skills

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of credit cards issued to staff and Ministers in his Department and the total costs of each card since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12475/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Two business credit cards are held and operated by staff in my Department. One card is held in the name of and operated by the Private Secretary in the Minister's Office and the second is held in the name of and operated by the Private Secretary in the Minister of State's Office. These cards allow for expenditure to support the business needs of the Department, in extremely time limited circumstances, where the spending needs cannot be easily satisfied by the Department's normal billing process.

The total expenditure incurred on these credit cards since March 2011 is as follows: Private Secretary to the Minister: €3,846. Private Secretary to the Minister of State: €1,050.74