Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communications unit will interact with persons and relevant stakeholders. [35528/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Taoiseach the role the strategic communications unit will have with the GIS; and if it will be part of or separate to the GIS. [35532/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communications unit will be founded; and if it is separate and in addition to the GIS. [35533/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communications unit will have a role with each Department. [35534/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communications unit will interact with the GIS if it is to be separate; and the proposed reporting relationship between the two. [35535/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit will be working with each Department separately through each press adviser; if it will be working through each Department's press office; and if it will operate through civil servants or political staff. [35536/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Taoiseach the way the strategic communications unit will be policy and not politically based; and the roles his officials will play in supervising same. [35541/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach the reporting relationship of the strategic communications unit. [35542/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach the role of the strategic communications unit and merrionstreet.ie. [35543/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 33 to 37, inclusive, and 42 to 44, inclusive, together.

As I previously stated in the House last week I intend to establish a small unit in my Department to focus on strategic communications across Government.

This unit will complement, not replace, the existing arrangements in Departments and agencies for dealing with press, media and communications. The proposed unit will operate independently of the Government Information Service.

The GIS will continue its work of dealing with the media on a daily basis and managing major international media events. My Department is currently conducting an audit of the PR/Communications work across Departments and the agencies under their remit.

The result of this exercise will inform the precise mandate and other arrangements for the role and function of the new unit and should be concluded in the coming weeks.

The establishment of the new unit provides an opportunity to present a clear and cohesive message to the public on the work of Government.

The unit is being established on a permanent basis within the Department.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach if he held interviews for positions in the strategic communications unit; and the way in which persons were appointed to same. [35529/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff employed in the strategic communications unit; the roles they will play; and the cost of same. [35531/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach the pay scales of the staff in the strategic communications unit; and the pay scales of those working in the GIS. [35537/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach if he or officials in his Department had to obtain clearance to employ persons in the strategic communications unit. [35539/17]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff within his Department who will be based in the new strategic information unit; the annual budget of the unit; if the staff will be established civil servants or non-established temporary positions; and the relationship between the existing departmental press office and the new unit. [35660/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 32, 38, 40 and 49 together.

The Strategic Communications Unit has not been established as yet. The precise mandate and other arrangements for the operation of this new unit, including staffing structure and budget, will be worked out over the coming weeks. It is my intention to staff the unit with civil and public servants. The new unit will be independent of, and supplementary to, the Government Information Service.

The pay scales of those currently working in the Government Information Service are as follows:

It should be noted that the Government Information Service is carrying a number of vacancies at present and the relevant recruitment processes are being finalised. In the meantime, temporary staffing arrangements have been put in place.