James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Taoiseach the audience sectors targeted by each of the sponsored posts (details supplied) which ran via the merrionstreet.ie account. [46723/17]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Taoiseach the spend, including allocated budget, used budget and promotion extensions on sponsored posts (details supplied) which ran via the merrionstreet.ie account. [46724/17]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Taoiseach the State agencies or other emanations of the State that fall under the remit of the strategic communications unit; and the plans in place for existing public affairs staff within each entity. [46725/17]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Taoiseach the social media or other online platforms that have been engaged by the strategic communications unit to carry or promote sponsored content; and the expense that has been incurred in each case. [46726/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 135, inclusive, together.

A key part of the modernisation of Government communications is the greater use of social media. Recent initiatives in my department such as videos relating to Ireland's Rugby World Cup Bid, information about going back to school, the budget and treatment benefits cost approximately €21,895 in total. Sponsored posts appeared on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Targeting for these was broadly-based to 'all adults'.

No State agencies or other emanations of the State fall under the remit of the Strategic Communications Unit and it has no role in relation to staff in those entities.

The main task of the Strategic Communications Unit is to simplify Government Communications and to increase efficiencies across the public sector when dealing with the Irish public.