Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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772. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by her Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44865/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The availability of mobile devices is a critical enabler which supports the work carried out across my Department. These devices are subject to the IT Acceptable Use Policy and specific policies with respect to mobile device use and security.

As the Deputy will appreciate my Department has increased provision of mobile handsets to support the move to an effective long term blended working model in line with Government policy. I am informed that in 2024, there has also been a greater need to replace older handsets as part of ongoing programme of technology upgrades, and this is reflected in the expenditure in the year to date.

My Department ensures that procurement of goods and services is carried out in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and in line with National Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). All areas of expenditure are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.

The number of mobile phones issued to staff, the VAT-inclusive cost of handsets and the VAT-inclusive cost of mobile phone billing for my Department is shown in the following table for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 to-date.