Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total costs incurred by her Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52160/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm to the Deputy that my department does not have a fixed annual advertising budget. As policy implementation dictates, advertising can be sought to deliver specific policy objectives or legal obligations. In the period of time in question, this has included awareness campaigns on school transport, promoting the teaching profession, the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other matters such as local planning notices for school buildings and the advertising of the opportunity to engage with scoping inquiries.

A contract with a media buying agency has been in place since 2018. The spend on advertising with RTÉ in that time by my department has amounted to €231,793.50.