Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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604. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total cost of all media advertising to her Department for each of the past five years; the efforts her Department is making to ensure that local media both print and radio are being supported as well as national media by her Department's budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37484/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The total amount spent on all media advertising in the last five years is outlined in the following table:

Expenditure on advertising by the Department falls into two main categories: routine newspaper advertising such as advising the public of permanent or temporary office closures and relocations, recruitment to local and branch offices, Christmas arrangements; and advertising to promote awareness of specific schemes and services which may include campaigns on radio, television and in the print media.

There have been no major advertising campaigns in recent years and expenditure incurred since 2009 relates mainly to print advertising. In recent years, the Department has increased its use of other media channels to disseminate information to reach a wider audience and minimise expenditure on advertising. These channels include press releases, website updates on www.welfare.ie and, more recently, information updates through the use of twitter. Where print media advertising is required, the Department ensures inclusion of any relevant local press together with the national press where appropriate.