1336. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [44867/24]

My Department’s information and communication technology services, including mobile phone services, are provided on a shared service basis by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The OGCIO has a contract in place for the supply of mobile phone services, awarded on foot of a public procurement process.

The mobile phones are generally provided as part of the overall contract costs within a specified plan. A small number of phones were also purchased directly by the Department. The total number of mobile phones held by staff in my Department, and the related costs for the period in question, are detailed below. It should be noted that billing cycles do not align with the calendar year, and costs incurred in one year can relate to service provision in the previous year.