Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

The cost of the communications unit for the first quarter of 2005 was €78,783. Of this, €32,017 was a direct cost to my Department, with on average €9,353 being borne by the five other Departments that have staff seconded to the unit. The cost of the communications unit for the first quarter of 2004 was €75,069. Of this, €29,560 was a direct cost to my Department, with on average €9,102 being borne by the five other Departments that have staff seconded to the unit.

The unit provides a media information service to Ministers and their Departments. It furnishes news bulletins and transcripts, ensuring 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.

The communications unit works 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 unit's work means that Departments have greatly reduced their use of external companies, ensuring 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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