Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed within her Department working in the area of public relations; the cost to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38036/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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There are no civil servants employed in my Department to work solely in the area of Public Relations. However, I do have a Special Advisor in my Department who acts as a media advisor.

There are six Civil Servants (5.6 WTE) assigned to my Department's Communications Unit, which incorporates a Press Office, as well as an internal communications function. The Unit is headed by an Assistant Principal Officer and also includes two Higher Executive Officers and three Executive Officers (2.6 WTE). One Higher Executive Officer and two Executive Officers work in the Press Office.

The Press Office is responsible for liaising with the media on my behalf, as well as on behalf of the Ministers of State and my Department. Among its functions are the timely processing of, and responding to, a large volume of media queries and requests for information on health issues from a wide range of media outlets. These include broadcast and print media at both local and national level and specialist medical publications.

The Press Office also makes the necessary media and communications arrangements for health announcements and works with sections in my Department to plan for upcoming launches, events and emerging issues. Liaison also occurs with Departmental sections to issue press releases and to provide timely responses to queries. An information sharing service is also provided whereby media alerts, transcripts, and notification of press announcements are provided to my Office, Ministers of State, Ministerial Advisors, senior managers and sections, as appropriate.

The Press Office also liaises with international organisations including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) as well as providing representation on the National Public Health Emergency Team. In addition, liasion also occurs with the Government Information Services, other Departments and the HSE Press Office on issues regarding a coordinated response and more generally in relation to emerging issues. The Office also shares information with other stakeholders, such as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

In addition there are four staff (3.6 WTE) working in the Communications and Participation Team of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. However, these staff have other functions in addition to communications work. There is one person on contract working in the Ombudsman for Children's Office who is involved in public relations work.While the Ombudsman for Children's Office is an independent body, it is part of the Department of Health and Children with regard to overall numbers reporting etc.