John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 873: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the expenditure in 2007 on public relations; his views on whether this is value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to public relations consultancy and advice provided to my Department. Information concerning expenditure on public notices and other forms of advertising has been made available in response to previous Parliamentary Questions, for example, Question No. 382 of 22 April, 2008.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department makes very limited use of public relations consultancy services and usually only engages such services where necessary to facilitate the efficient and effective planning of large public awareness campaigns, with a view to ensuring the expenditure is properly targeted. From time to time, agencies associated with my Department also engage such advice for similar reasons. During 2007 expenditure by my Department under this heading was €130,738, which was incurred in connection with professional advice and planning in respect of the National Action Plan against Racism.