47 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Finance if private commercial companies are invited to provide computer courses for civil servants; the number of such courses organised on an annual basis; if companies are requested to tender for the provision of such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12087/97]

Information technology training requirements of individual Government Departments are primarily a matter for each Department.

Over the years my Department has used a range of private companies to provide computer training for both its general service and information technology staff. IT training for general service staff is currently provided by a commercial company, chosen as a result of a competitive tendering process conducted last year. Such an exercise is conducted every three years. Twenty six courses have been organised for staff of the Department since the present company was chosen and in the preceding two years 47 courses were organised for staff of the Department by its predecessor.