Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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292. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1847/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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My Department was formally established on 2nd of June 2011 and the total spend to date on photography is €10,198.95 on research launches, Comhairle na nÓg events, consultations with young people and EU Presidency - International conferences.

It is the policy of my Department to keep costs in relation to the use of photographers to a minimum. My Department has a detailed project planning process for each event and the decision to book a photographer is based on the merits of the event. Increasingly my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house thereby reducing costs. My Department actively promotes the participation of children and young people including through mechanisms such as Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg. Photography is used on occasion at such events in order to highlight the work of the children and young people and in recognition of the particular technical skills required. Events marking children and young people's participation are highlighted below.

Photographers were booked for the following events:

Children and Young Peoples Participation Events

Other Events