Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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359. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent on public relations and advertising for Rebuilding Ireland, including the amount spent on signage and website development. [9793/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A key part of the successful implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness programme is 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. In this context, the overall cost to date of the consultation, communication and engagement strategy associated with Rebuilding Ireland is approximately €95,700 (incl. VAT). This comprises the development and management of a dedicated Rebuilding Ireland website, , for which total investment to date 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.

Pillar specific launches have also taken place to build implementation momentum by allowing for a deeper focus on a specific pillar area. Four pillar launches have taken place thus far and a launch for the remaining pillar 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.

Further requirements in terms of the website, video production and social media services for the next twelve month period, are considered on an ongoing basis. 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 Second Quarterly Progress Report on Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (in respect of Quarter 4 2016 commitments and actions), which was published on 7 February 2017 and can be accessed at:

In terms of signage, I assume the question refers to “on-site” signage. Expenditure in this regard is a matter for the individual local authority or approved housing body concerned. Site signage forms part of a construction project preliminary cost which is an integral part of the overall cost which may be recouped from the Department for social housing schemes under various programmes.