Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total amount spent by his Department in terms of advertising in newspapers, magazines and electronic media in respect of each year since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27033/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department uses a mix of advertising media including national and provincial newspapers, radio and television, information leaflets, fact sheets, posters and direct mailshots to ensure that people are aware of their social welfare entitlements and are notified about improvements and changes affecting their payments and services. The amount spent on advertising in any one year is determined by the number of specific advertising campaigns which are undertaken.

The total amount spent by my Department on advertising in 2002 was €1,319,239. Expenditure covered a wide range of my Department's schemes and services and included specific campaigns such as the promotions of the Farm Assist Scheme, the Personal Public Service Number and an information campaign in relation to the improvements in the 2003 Budget.

The total amount spent by my Department on advertising in 2003 was €286,680. Most of the advertising expenditure in 2003 arose in connection with general advertising regarding office closures, staff vacancies, etc., and the Budget information campaign.

Expenditure in 2004 was €473,224. Two information campaigns were undertaken in 2004. The first campaign promoted the Carer's Benefit scheme and the second campaign alerted people coming up to pension age that they should apply for their pension at least three months before they reach pension age.

The total amount spent by my Department on advertising in 2005 was over €300,000. Two major information campaigns were undertaken in 2005; the first was on the Respite Care scheme and the second was a general advertising campaign carried out across credit unions throughout country, which highlighted a range of social welfare benefits, schemes and services available to citizens.

To date in 2006, my Department has spent over €340,000 on advertising. The principle element of the expenditure incurred to date this year related to the Family Income Supplement entitlements awareness campaign which resulted in a significant increase in the number of new applications. Advertising is a key part of my Department's information strategy to ensure that people are aware of and claim their social welfare entitlements.