Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

174. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the estimated overall cost of the consultation, communication and engagement strategy of the Rebuilding Ireland programme; and the estimated and itemised cost of the dedicated website, social media engagement and so on. [38274/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The overall cost to date of the consultation, communication and engagement strategy associated with Rebuilding Ireland is approximately €95,700 (incl. VAT). The main aim of the consultation, communication and engagement strategy 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 Irelandwill 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, www.rebuildingireland.ie., has been put in place and a dedicated email address, rebuildingireland@housing.gov.ie has also been created. The total investment to date in the development and management of this website has been approximately €54,600 (incl. VAT).

In addition to the standard provision of text and graphic information to view and download, the website facilitates engagement with the general public through the use of video presentations and social media, at a cost of approximately €38,900 (incl. VAT) to date. It is important to note that the video production costs include filming and content generation resources that may be used in future video presentations, thus potentially reducing the costs of future requirements in this area.

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.

There has also 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.

Further requirements in terms of the website, video production and social media services for the next twelve month period, are currently being considered. All efforts will continue to be made to keep expenditure in connection with Rebuilding Ireland to a minimum.

Further information in relation to 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 2016 commitments and actions), which was published on 1 November 2016 and can be accessed at:

.