Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

542. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [11725/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department was established on 19 July 2017, to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government in so far as it impacts on rural Ireland and communities.

I can confirm that there is no panel in my Department for the position of Communications Officer. Furthermore, all Corporate functions, including communications and press office functions are managed by a Principal Officer, as the Head of Corporate Services. The Press Officer position, in my Department's press office, is held at Executive Officer level.