Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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694. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent by her Department on photography by photographer and-or agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of her Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by her Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6744/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the level of expenditure by my department on photography, public relations or communications advice during the period in question is set out in the tables below.

The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. Certain costs included relate to the photographic documentation of important heritage sites, a key function of my Department, rather than to specific occasions. At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.

2016 Total: €9,819

2017 Photography: €10,640

2018 Photography €352.20

Similarly, the engagement of external groups for the provision of specialised services, including public relations firms, is dependent on a number of factors, including the expertise and resources available within my Department. In this context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration

Public Relations €19,988

Finally, in light of the large volume of information requested by the Deputy, arrangements are being made for information in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department to be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy, in accordance with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.