Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach Taoiseach the cost of the Communications Unit in his Department in February 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12956/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of the communications unit in February was approximately €20,189. The projected cost for the unit in 2010 is €242,269 with €112,220 being a direct cost to my Department and the balance being paid by three other Departments which have staff seconded to the unit.

The projected cost for 2010 represents a reduction of 6% on the 2009 cost, 20% on the 2008 cost and 27% on the 2007 cost. This has been achieved through greater efficiency in the operation of the unit and the application of Government policy on reducing staff numbers.

I have no plans at present to change the role of the unit.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We have raised these questions on previous occasions. As I understand it, the Departments were to cease contracts for independent news monitoring services on a daily basis. From looking at the costs, can the Taoiseach confirm this has actually happened and that the communications unit now supplies all the news monitoring information to Departments, thereby creating a saving overall?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There are Departments which use external media monitoring services for newspapers and specialist magazines dealing with their particular areas of activity. They use these services for media notifications specific to their Departments. External services are sometimes used for the provision of transcripts where these cannot be obtained from the communications unit because of time constraints and in instances of high demand. The communications unit furnishes news updates and transcripts from the national media only, which ensure that Departments are kept informed of relevant news developments in a fast and efficient manner. The unit does not have the capacity or resources to provide regional news items and press cuttings, however, to individual Departments.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I take the Taoiseach's point about national newspapers and national news. Last week CIE announced that the DART underground project would be delayed until 2018. This was because of planning delays, even though a planning application has not been lodged. Somebody forgot to tell the Minister for Transport, however.

Will the Taoiseach say whether the communications unit monitors announcements from State agencies and if so, does it send them on to Ministers directly? How could a situation such as this arise, where the delay until 2018 of a major infrastructure project is announced by CIE and the Minister for Transport is not informed? Is it a case of the communications unit missing this important piece of information or is it because the State agency does not inform it in the first place, in order for the message to be transmitted to the Minister concerned? Is the communications unit supposed to be on top of this type of situation?

There was a situation in Shannon a couple of years ago where the Secretary General did not inform the Minister of another issue, as regards Aer Lingus taking away slots, which caused some controversy. Can we take it, then, that State agencies are monitored by the communications unit? In the event, why was the Minister for Transport not informed in this case?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A totally separate matter was dealt with by the Minister last week, I understand, during Question Time. If there are issues which are in the national media, such as news bulletins, etc., these are referred through the communications unit.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This issue was on the national news.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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No it was not.