Written answers

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

Departmental Expenditure

9:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 790: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money spent on advertising and promotions in his Department and each agency under his aegis for each of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31579/09]

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

Advertising undertaken by my Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, and public information notices relating to significant developments in the European Union or in regard to Ireland's Official Development Aid Programme. Much of this material is now placed on the Department's Website but advertising continues to be necessary in order to reach all of our customers, particularly in relation to important passport and consular services.

The following table give the details of such advertising under Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) for each year from 2004 to 2008 and to date in 2009.

YearTotal Cost
2004€171,732.90
2005€144,835.09
2006€105,973.90
2007€75,288.84
2008€103,890.00
2009 to date€34,999.00

The advertising costs for Irish Aid are charged under Vote 29 and include public information campaigns for Africa Day, World AIDS Day, recruitment and volunteer position announcements, the placement of tender notices and information relating to grant application procedures. Advertising costs increased in 2006 and 2007 as a result of significant campaigns for recruitment to the Rapid Response Corps, World AIDS Day and the opening of the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre.

Promotions includes materials, signage, event management and design costs for Africa Day events hosted by Irish Aid in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and for Irish Aid's recent participation in the Electric Picnic Festival, the Ploughing Championships and the Irish Congress of Trades Unions conferences. It also includes promotional signage for the Irish Aid Centre.Promotions includes materials, signage, event management and design costs for Africa Day events hosted by Irish Aid in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and for Irish Aid's recent participation in the Electric Picnic Festival, the Ploughing Championships and the Irish Congress of Trades Unions conferences. It also includes promotional signage for the Irish Aid Centre. Promotional costs increased significantly in 2008 and 2009 as a result of major Africa Day public events organised by Irish Aid in Dublin and Limerick which attracted approximately 33,000 people.

The following table give the details of such advertising under Vote 29 (International Cooperation) for each year from 2004 to 2008 and to date in 2009.

YearAdvertisingPromotion
2004€44,546€1,830
2005€123,530€5,230
2006€271,491€40,031
2007€417,130€91,603.81
2008€401,140.90€301,876.46
2009 to date€44,040€285,154

In addition to the costs outlined above, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid, whose term expired on the 31st of October 2008, incurred the following annual advertising expenses in connection to the Board's extensive research programme which required calls for tender on individual research projects to be widely advertised.

2004 - €6,231

2005 - €4,536

2006 - €8,112

2007 - €5,796

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 791: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he provides funding to the European Movement Ireland; and if so, the annual breakdown of that funding since 2005. [31622/09]

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

The Department of Foreign Affairs has provided an annual grant-in-aid to the European Movement Ireland over many years. This funding arises out of the Department's overall coordinating role in relation to Ireland's membership of the European Union. Deepening public understanding of the EU and maximising public awareness of Ireland's role in the Union is an ongoing strategic priority for my Department. The annual breakdown of that funding since 2005 is set out below. This funding is specifically provided under Subhead E of the Department's Estimates - Contributions to Bodies in Ireland for the Furtherance of International Relations (Grants-In-Aid).

2005 €127,000

2006 €250,000

2007 €250,000

2008 €260,000

2009 €250,000

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.