Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will detail, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; his internal Department policy regarding employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1866/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring solely to public relations services and not to advertising costs that would be incurred by my Department in the normal course of business, such as entries into telephone directories, the placing of advertisements in national newspapers, recruitment advertising, etc.

No such costs have been incurred in respect of my Department in the period since I came into office.

The Department’s policy regarding employing external groups is to follow the general public procurement rules and in particular the guidance as set out in the "Guidance Note on engaging Advertising, Public Relations and Creative Design Services" and the "Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and Other External Support by The Civil Service".