Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

361. To ask the Minister for Health his Department's use of external public relations firms since he came into office by year in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43649/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Press and Communications Office of the Department liaises with the media on behalf of the Department and does not use the services of public relations companies. The Department did not spend any money on public relations consultants between July 2014 and December 2014.

During 2015 external public relations expertise was required for the development of the Healthy Ireland Council. Details are outlined in the following table. I will advise the Deputy separately if any further public relations engagements were made since.

It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.