Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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465. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a panel has been established in his Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in his Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; his plans to make such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11714/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Public Appointments Service is currently undertaking a recruitment competition for a Head of Communications for the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.  As part of the Department's workforce planning, a Head of Communications role was deemed necessary by the Department's Management Board to develop and implement a comprehensive external communications strategy to support the delivery of the Department’s business priorities, encompassing stakeholder management, social media, public relations, media relations, etc. The individual appointed will also have responsibility for supporting internal staff communications and engagement initiatives including measures that may be required in this regard following the 2017 Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey, results of which are expected in the coming months.   This appointment will be at Principal Officer level.  It is expected that the Head of Communications will be appointed in Quarter 2 of 2018.