Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Health to provide, broken down per annum, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office, in tabular form; the external public relations firm used; to outline the internal Departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20393/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 firms.

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

I will advise the Deputy separately if any public relations firms have been employed by other units in the Department since I took office.