Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The projected total cost of the communications unit for 2005 is €319,934. Some €129,250 is a direct cost to my Department with on average €38,137 being borne by the five other Departments, which have staff seconded to the unit. The cost for the unit in 2004 was €300,277.

The unit provides a media information service to Ministers and their Departments. It furnishes news updates and transcripts, which ensure that Departments are kept informed in a fast and efficient manner of any relevant news developments. In this way, Departments are able to provide a better service to the public. Staff in the communications unit work an 18-hour day based on a flexible rota of three working shifts. The unit is staffed by six established civil servants, five of whom are seconded from other Departments. The work of the unit means that Departments have greatly reduced their use of external companies and ensure they no longer duplicate work such as transcripts and tapes. The communications unit is estimated to save Departments in excess of €200,000 per annum.

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