John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 964: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 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. [23644/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2007, an amount of €261,029.75 was spent on public relations by the Press Office of my Department. This is broken down as follows:

Staff costs: €179,503.49

Non staff costs: €81,526.26.

The role of the Press Office is to inform the public via the media about the policies, functions and activities of my Department. This work includes, inter alia, managing communications relating to my Department through the local, national and international media, responding to media requests for information, providing advice to all staff on media matters, monitoring press coverage, supporting Departmental media events.

I am satisfied that, given the range of issues being dealt with by the Press Office of my Department, that the expenditure represents good value for money.