Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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82. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent tenders issued by his Department for research. [41253/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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83. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communications unit will have a whole-of-Government approach; if this will be through press offices or political press, special advisers or policy advisers; and if there will be a distinction between the official roles of each Government Department and the political staff in each Department. [41255/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 20 September 2017, the countries or governments to which he is referring with regard to best international practice on strategic communication. [41256/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Taoiseach if the high-level working group on the strategic communications unit has been set up; and if so, the members that are part of the group. [41258/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Taoiseach if the request for the strategic communications unit came from within the Civil Service. [41259/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Taoiseach if the operating principles for the strategic communications unit have been drawn up; and if he or his advisers will be consulted on same. [41260/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Taoiseach if the network of communications professionals will be part of the Civil Service or inclusive of both the Civil Service and political staff. [41261/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which the strategic communication unit will result in reduced expenditure. [41262/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 89, inclusive, together.

The work of the Government is vast - over 200 different Government bodies constantly producing and updating policies and services, while initiating and running a variety of separate information campaigns annually.

Despite extensive investment in communications, it can sometimes be difficult for the public to access the appropriate, up-to-date Government information they require.

There is a need for greater co-ordination and simplification of Government communications, to make it easier for people to understand what is happening, what Government is doing, and the full range of state services - both current and new - that are available. The new Strategic Communications Unit aims to help achieve that.

Two projects are underway to inform the work of the unit in streamlining communications across Government Departments: an audit of current Government communications, and a survey to help us learn more about public awareness and understanding of Government services. This is not a new thing and is not a major change.

The audit of Government services is being handled internally.

Working with the Office of Government Procurement, a request for the services of a company to complete the public awareness survey has now been issued.

A whole-of-government approach is an integral part of the Strategic Communications Unit’s work.

I decided to establish the Strategic Communications unit, which has been integrated within the Civil Service structures in the Department of the Taoiseach.

The Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) considered this matter last week, and decided to establish a subgroup of the CSMB which will act as the high-level working group. It will be chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and the membership will be finalised shortly. This initiative will be progressed as part of the Civil Service Renewal Programme.

All three of the main workstreams of the Unit have a whole-of-government approach. The Unit is working with all Departments and Agencies to help streamline the range of websites and channels used for Government communications, with a view to helping citizens better understand the range of services available to them.

In partnership with the relevant Departments, the Strategic Communications Unit will proactively identify, develop and deliver major cross-Government, citizen-centred communications campaigns.

To help improve effectiveness, efficiency and cross-Government collaboration, the Strategic Communications Unit will also work to increase the skills capacity of those working in this area across Government. As part of this work, a network of communications officials across Government will be developed to share best practice and develop a continuing professional development programme (CPD) for Government communications. This network of communications professionals will comprise the communications personnel within the civil and public service and will not include politically appointed personnel.

The operating principles for the unit are being finalised and will ensure that it does not engage in any party political work.

Ireland should aspire to meeting best international practice for Government communications, and we are seeking to draw on the experience of other countries in this regard. Other Governments who have undertaken this kind of work include the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and Estonia and some further afield including New Zealand and Canada.

Through a combination of all three elements of the Unit’s workplan (streamlining communications; delivering major cross-Government campaigns; and improving the communications capacity across Government), it is envisaged that the work of the Unit will deliver savings and efficiencies in communication expenditure for Government.

It is intended that targeted savings will be delivered through efficiencies generated through cross-governmental collaboration on major campaigns, more efficient use of technology platforms, consolidated media buying, efficient 3^rdparty contract management, rationalising design projects, streamlining participation in national events, and increased communications capacity within Departments.