Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

523. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by his Department on photography, by photographer and-or agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of his Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by his Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6743/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations or communications advice from time to time.

In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and keeping expenditure to the minimum necessary.

The selection and contracting of photography services for my Department is carried out as part of competitive procurement processes in line with Office of Government Procurement guidelines.

The information requested in the Question is outlined in the following tabular format*:

The information requested regarding those agencies which are funded by my Department is an operational matter for each of those agencies. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.