Burton to spend close to €1m on tablet computers

The cash-strapped Department of Social Protection is splashing out on more than 1,000 hand-held tablet computers for staff despite fears about looming budget cuts.

The spend on the tablets is expected to cost close to €1m at a time when there are warnings about cuts to welfare supports for the vulnerable.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton is facing a battle at Cabinet level to reduce the expected savings in her department next year by half, down to a maximum of €200m.