Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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 the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/14]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total external public relation costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49386/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 172 together.

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that, with the exception of the Office of Public Works, no external public relations firm was availed of by my Department since its formation. However the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.

The following table is a list of external public relations firms employed by the Office of Public Works from 2011: