Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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440. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29113/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The table lists the occasions on which an external public relations firm was hired since the establishment of my Department in June 2011.

The engagement of external groups for the provision of specialised services, including public relations firms, is dependent on a number of factors, including the expertise and resources available within my Department. In this context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration.