Written answers

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Public Relations Contracts Data

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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654. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her Department's use of external public relations firms since she came into office by year in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43641/15]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No external public relations firms have been employed by my Department since my appointment in July 2014. 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 that context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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655. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reports she commissioned from external consultants since March 2011, by year, title, cost, date published and company in tabular form. [43657/15]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The details requested by the Deputy in respect of the nine reports commissioned by my Department since its establishment in June 2011 are set out in the following table. The "Review of PSO Air Service for the Aran Islands" was published in May 2014. The "Updated Business Case forRestoring the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones" and the"Cost Benefit Analysis of the National Gallery Redevelopment Project"are published on the Department's website. The remaining reports have not been published.

For completeness, I wish to bring to the Deputy's attention that the University of Birmingham was commissioned in 2010 by the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, prior to the establishment of my Department, to undertake a review relating to peatlands. The resulting report, "Review of Archaeological Survey and Mitigation Policy relating to Bord na Móna Peatlands" was published in June 2013 and the associated costs of €34,337 were met by my Department.

I also wish to point out that my Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts from time to time to provide technical reports on specific issues, as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.

CommissionedCompanyTitle of ReportCost
2011Avia SolutionsReview of financial submissions

relating to the Public Service Obligation

Air Service for the Aran Islands
€6,300
2012Bonnar KeenlysideReview of Dublin Contemporary 2011€10,959
2013Dorgan AssociatesCost Benefit Analysis of National Archives Development Plan€12,669
2013Dorgan AssociatesCost Benefit Analysis of National Gallery Redevelopment Project€12,731
2013/2014Dorgan AssociatesExamination of capital incentives to promote investment in film studio infrastructure€ 6,765
2014EYReview of PSO Air Service for the Aran Islands€41,795
2014Fitzpatrick AssocsUpdated Business Case Restoring the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones€15,191
2014The VAT PracticeAdvisory service on UK VAT€919
2015Public Affairs Ireland (PAI)Review of Management Structure and Grading of Senior Management Posts within Údarás na Gaeltachta€ 9,717

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