Dáil debates
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)
Departmental Communications
1:40 pm
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.
The strategic communications unit does not hold twice weekly meetings with all Departments. The programme of work of the unit is part of the Civil Service renewal programme, which is overseen by the Civil Service Management Board. An assistant secretary delivery team has been established to lead the implementation of the unit's programme of work across all Departments. This team comprises representatives at assistant secretary level from all Government Departments.
This team met on 8 February 2018 and is due to meet on the following dates through 2018: 12 April, 14 June, 3 September and 8 November. Meetings with Departments are also held on an ad hocbasis as required in order to progress the work of the unit. As an example, each Department has nominated project managers to oversee the migration of the Department to gov.ieand also the implementation of the new Government of Ireland identity. These officials meet as required with officials from the unit to ensure progress on these activities.
A list of the tenders which were run and the successful tenderers will be circulated to Members with this reply. Contracts are now in place with these tenderers to support the work of the strategic communications unit. Procurement for five of these contracts was overseen by the Office of Government Procurement. In line with public procurement, one tender in respect of identity was managed by my Department as the estimated cost for services was under the €25,000 threshold.
Project Ireland 2040 was launched at the Institute of Technology, IT, Sligo on Friday, 16 February 2018. Events of the day included a Government meeting to approve the plan, the actual launch of the plan and a number of media engagements carried out by myself and the Cabinet. I also met Dr. Brendan McCormack, president of IT Sligo, who was our host for the event.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
| Provision of research and insight. | Awarded to Behaviour & Attitudes |
|---|---|
| Provision of digital creative services. | Awarded to Radical Digital now trading as CORE |
| Provision of integrated creative and digital campaign services. | Awarded to TBWA |
| Provision of media strategy planning and buying services. | Awarded to PHD |
| Development of Government identity system for roll out across Government Departments. | Awarded to Zero-G |
| Provision of marketing pitch specialist services | Awarded to Agency Assessments |
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