Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The total projected cost of the communications unit for 2008 is €344,873 with €135,512 being a direct cost to my Department and €41,872 on average being borne by the five other Departments which have staff seconded to the unit. The cost of the unit in my Department during February was €27,326, with €10,737 being a direct cost to my Department and €3,317 on average being borne by the five other Departments which have staff seconded to the unit. The total cost of the unit since its establishment in 1997 is €2,966,285, with €1,163,359 being a direct cost to my Department and €60,585 on average being borne by the five other Departments which over the period have had staff seconded to the unit. The average annual cost of the unit since its inception in 1997 is €269,662. The unit provides a media information service to Ministers and their Departments. It furnishes news updates and transcripts which ensure 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 on secondment from other Departments. The work of the unit means that Departments have reduced their use of external companies and ensures that they no longer duplicate work such as transcripts and tapes.

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