Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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528. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a panel has been established in her Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in her 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; her plans to make such an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11713/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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No panel has been established in my Department for communications officers. My Department does not have a designated civil service role of head of communications or similar. I have no plans to make such an appointment.

The day-to-day press office function in my Department has usually been serviced by an Executive Officer in recent years; in 2017, a clerical officer was assigned to assist in that role.

One of my Special Advisors has special responsibility for communications. He took up the role following my appointment in mid 2016.

Additionally, my Department's Early Years Division has assigned one person at Assistant Principal level since March 2017 to lead on communications and consultations with sectoral stakeholders.