Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum since March 2011 in tabular form; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39500/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In relation to my Department's policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where the matters involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department. Such engagement is done in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Finance "Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and other External Support by the Civil Service".

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the period from 2014 to October 2016 is set out in the table. This information is not readily available for the period prior to 2014.

The table provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department: