Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

795. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total cost of public relations-communications to his Department in 2013; the spend to date in 2014; the total estimate for 2014; the corresponding figures for each agency funded from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31537/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link . The figures available cover up to the end of 2013 and my Department is currently in the process of updating information for 2014.

The allocation in my Department's budget for all consultancy services, including public relations/communications, for 2014 is provisionally set at €599,000.

My Department uses its own press office for promotional and publicity purposes as a matter of course, and only uses external public relations consultants in exceptional cases for Department-led campaigns such as National Bike Week.

Reduction of costs across all activities continues to be a major focus of my Department.  All expenditure without exception is only made in the context of the rigorous evaluation processes set out in the Public Spending Code to ensure that the expenditure is required and that best value options are selected.

The cost of public relations/communications is a day to day matter for the agencies under the remit of my Department I will forward the question to the agencies for their direct reply to you, if you do not receive a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.