Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff employed by the strategic communications unit; and their respective responsibilities and positions. [49483/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Taoiseach the number of additional staff that are scheduled to be employed by the strategic communications unit in the next six months; and their respective responsibilities and positions. [49484/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.

There are seven staff working in the Strategic Communications Unit of my Department:

- One Director (equivalent to Assistant Secretary);

- Three Assistant Principal Officers;

- One Higher Executive Officer (equivalent);

- One Administrative Officer; and

- One Clerical Officer.

My Department is currently finalising the assignment of three Media and Communications Assistants (equivalent to Executive Officer) to the Strategic Communications Unit to fill existing vacancies through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

In addition, my Department recently finalised a selection process to second experienced and qualified civil servants at Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer and Administrative Officer level to the Strategic Communications Unit.

The staffing of the Strategic Communications Unit, like any other section of my Department, is a matter for the Secretary General and the senior management of the Department to consider.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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100. To ask the Taoiseach the budget allocated to the strategic communications unit for the first year of its existence, including salaries. [49485/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's budget for 2018 has decreased by 2% compared to 2017. €5 million has been allocated to the Strategic Communications Unit of my Department for 2018. My Department does not delegate salary budgets to individual divisions/units. The salaries of the staff in the Strategic Communications Unit will be met from my Department's 2018 administrative salary budget.

All costs (including salary costs) incurred in 2017 by the Strategic Communications Unit will be met from within the existing resources of my Department.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Taoiseach if his departmental officials sought information or advice from other governments in respect of the establishment of the strategic communications unit. [49486/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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102. To ask the Taoiseach the research that was undertaken by his Department regarding the establishment of the strategic communications unit; and if this research will be published. [49487/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Taoiseach the relationship between the strategic communications unit and the Government Press Office. [49488/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit has engaged through social media or other online platforms to carry sponsored content; and the costs associated with same. [49489/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the strategic communications unit that have taken place which have been attended by him and his officials, respectively. [49490/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 105, inclusive, together.

As part of the planning process in setting up the Strategic Communications Unit the Director and a member of staff in the Strategic Communications met with their counterparts in the UK and the Netherlands to learn at first hand how both countries went about the streamlining and optimisation of government communications, from the perspective of the citizen. Both countries have adopted a whole of Government approach to communications with the citizen placed at the centre.

Their communication systems aim to simplify how government information is communicated to the public so that it is delivered in a coherent and accessible manner. The SCU will continue to consult with international counterparts to seek to adhere to international best practice.

The decision to set up the SCU was informed by a need to streamline how Government communicates with its citizens. As an initial step, my Department conducted some research on existing communications activities, including the range of campaigns, brands and channels of communication used by different agencies, which have built up over many years, under successive governments. This research is ongoing and will be used by civil service management to help frame the work plan of the new unit.

The initial results of that research will be published shortly. The former Merrionstreet (GIS) function is integrated within the Strategic Communications Unit; the Government Press Office continues to operate as before in dealing with day -to-day media queries, under the direction of the Government Press Secretary.

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.

I meet with the Director of the Strategic Communications Unit and all of the senior officials in my Department on a regular basis as part of the sub group of the Civil Service Management Board. The Strategic Communications Unit is a unit within my Department and, therefore, meets with Departmental officials on a regular and ongoing basis.