Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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464. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff assigned in his Department to the press office, public relations or communications roles in each year since 2015; the positions by staffing grade and designated role; when each new position came into existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11698/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Each year since 2015 three staff members have been assigned to the press office of this Department consisting of one Press Officer at Assistant Principal level, one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer.  In accordance with the terms and conditions set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, one special advisor with responsibility for press and media has been employed at Principal Officer level during that period. In addition, following a capacity review of the Department in 2014, the Management Board of the Department decided to establish a Strategic Development and Communications Unit in the Department. The Unit focusses on internal communications; supporting Departmental engagement with external stakeholders; developing responses to the findings of the Civil Service Employee Engagement Surveys; development of brand guidelines; and the development and maintenance of a new Departmental website. In 2015 staffing levels in the SDCU consisted of one Assistant Principal, one Higher Executive Officer, one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer. An additional  Higher Executive Officer and Clerical officer have been added to the Unit since then.