Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost, including an itemised breakdown, of the Referendum Commission in respect of the thirtieth amendment to the Constitution; the amount paid to date; if he will detail any further anticipated costs and expenses; the costs and expenses expected to be incurred in the period provided for the commission to report to him and in the period between reporting and dissolution of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35981/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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My Department does not have any direct responsibility in relation to the Referendum Commission, other than to sponsor the budgetary requirement. All financial commitments will be authorised by the Referendum Commission and discharged by the Office of the Ombudsman. I am advised by the Office of the Ombudsman that the total budget for the Referendum Commission established in respect of the thirtieth amendment is 1.5 million euro.

Communications

Consultancy Fees and costs up to 11 November 2011 - 46,471 euro

TV production, photography and fees - 201,061 euro Distribution Leaflet distribution - 96,909 euro Legal fees - 5,747 euro Translation services - 914 euro Miscellaneous - 1,549 euro Total expenditure - 352,651 euro

The Commission is required to report to the Minister within 6 months of the date of the referendum and total expenditure within that period is estimated to amount to 0.7 million euro. The Commission expects that the bulk of the estimated expenditure will occur before the end of 2011. Anticipated costs after the report date will comprise the cost of production of the Commission's report which is not available at this stage.