Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the last point, the office of Government procurement under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently completed a market research process, including but not limited to consultation with both buyers and suppliers within the very niche area of media monitoring. Based on the findings of that research, it is now finalising documentation with the intention of publishing a request for tender this month with a view of having a central contractual arrangement for the provision of media monitoring services to the public sector.

Staff numbers in the information service are not down by a third but they are down to 14 from 18. I am very conscious of the Deputy's comment regarding the abuse of public service time or personnel in the interests of party politics. I note that www.merrionstreet.ieis a useful resource for members of the public and journalists, providing access to parliamentary activities such as Leaders' Questions, which the site posts on its YouTube, Facebook and Twitter platforms. That means the Deputy features regularly on www.merrionstreet.ie, along with Deputy Adams. The site carries content from European Councils and meetings, as well as featuring the work of agencies like IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Coast Guard. It makes content available regarding major Government events, such as the budget, as well as commemorative events such as the 1916 Rising commemoration and the national day of commemoration. The website team provides live video coverage of budget press conferences and other major press conferences, and that is available to media organisations.

The site is staffed in the main by young people who are very active. It has had 158,000 users in the past 12 months and over 500,000 page views. The Twitter account has gained 300 new followers per month and the Facebook account has a considerable number of "likes" and so on. The staff have been able to deal with many issues that used to cost much money. I am looking for a figure.

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