Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent and is to be spent on marketing, advertising and holding press conferences for the Rebuilding Ireland initiative. [35370/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been no expenditure on marketing or advertising the Rebuilding Ireland programme and no such expenditure is planned.

There is a Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy associated with Rebuilding Ireland, the main aim of which is to ensure that the momentum for implementation is maintained throughout the life of the Plan. A key part of the successful implementation of Rebuilding Ireland will be ensuring that all stakeholders and the wider public are fully aware of the commitments, understand the range of initiatives and actions being rolled out and can access relevant and up-to-date information on progress.

A number of initiatives have been put in place aimed at maintaining and updating the information flow and providing a forum or point of contact for feedback where needed. For example, a dedicated website, , has been put in place and a dedicated email address, rebuildingireland@housing.gov.ie has also been created. Social media platforms are also being used to keep the public informed of progress in an open and accessible way.

Pillar specific launches have also taken place to build implementation momentum by allowing for a deeper focus on a specific pillar area. Three Pillar launches have taken place thus far and similar launches for the two remaining pillars will take place in due course. In relation to one of the Pillar launches, there was a cost of approximately €2,200 for room hire and associated costs.

Finally, there have been a series of local authority-hosted regional events, to stimulate and encourage active involvement and early engagement by all key stakeholders at local and regional levels.

All efforts will continue to be made to keep expenditure in connection with Rebuilding Ireland to a minimum. Further information in relation the Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy and in relation to progress more generally under Rebuilding Ireland is available in the First Quarterly Progress Report on Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions), which was published on 1 November and can be accessed at:.