Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 439: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number, rank and pay of all civil servants in his Department and ministerial staff, personally appointed by him or otherwise, who are engaged in media monitoring; the nature of the work done; the persons who the information is circulated to or the people who have access to this information; the cost of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33507/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 441: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of press officers and press advisers in his Department; the rank and pay of each; the description of work done; the persons to whom the information is circulated or made accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33537/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 441 together.

I have appointed one Press Officer who advises me on media matter generally. The remainder of the Staff of the Department's Press Office are civil servants and I have no function whatsoever in their appointment or assignment to that office. The details sought by the Deputy are in the table. The principal officer named below includes the press office as one of a number of Departmental functions in his portfolio.

The functions of the Press Office are to communicate with the media about the public affairs of the Department. This office issues speeches and press releases as well as organising press conferences and photo-calls. As far as media monitoring is concerned this involves a press cutting service which is made available electronically to all staff of my Department. The cost of the press cuttings service is €3,850 per month.