Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Department of An Taoiseach

Strategic Communications Unit

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

105. To ask the Taoiseach the corporate governance structure of the SCU in particular with regard to its budget allocation; and if there is much involvement with the Department of Finance regarding same. [11292/18]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The programme of work for the Strategic Communications Unit is part of the Civil Service Renewal Programme, which is overseen by the Civil Service Management Board (CSMB). A subgroup of the CSMB has been established to deal with this initiative. This subgroup has met twice.

An effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated in my Department. Formal reporting arrangements have been established at all levels where responsibility for financial management has been assigned. The financial functions of my Department are also subject to regular audit by both internal audit and the Officer of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Each month, my Department, along with all other Government Departments, provides details of expenditure incurred under various subheads to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This information feeds into the Exchequer Statements which are published on a monthly basis.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Taoiseach if he will publish a spreadsheet tracking expenditure to date by the strategic communications unit in his Department; if the unit has made an application for additional funding; and the sanctioning process for additional funding of the unit. [11356/18]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The work of the Strategic Communications Unit is currently under review. Details of expenditure up to the end of February 2018 are contained in the following table:

Details
2017
2018

(to 28 February)
Total
Travel & Subsistence
€3,423.21
€299.34
€3,722.55
Advertising and Incidental Expenses
€35,186.33
€124,385.38
€159,571.71
Postal & Telecommunications
€626.48
€308.27
€934.75
Office Equipment
€10,848.60
€8,212.56
€19,061.16
Total
€50,084.62
€133,205.55
€183,290.17

The figures included above represent actual expenditure incurred and processed through my Department’s financial management system to end February 2018. Additional invoices for various projects are currently being processed or are yet to be received.

In Budget 2018, €5 million was allocated to the Unit. The Unit has not made any application for additional funding.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit in his Department has hired or purchased external public relations services, graphic design, consultancy companies and or online digital strategy companies since the unit was formed; and the expenditure on those services by amount spent and company engaged in tabular form. [11361/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

137. To ask the Taoiseach the cost of the tender for research by a company (details supplied); the persons involved in drawing up the terms of the research; the dates it was undertaken; when it was completed; and when it was sent to his Department. [12057/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

138. To ask the Taoiseach the plans the Strategic Communications Unit has to integrate creative and digital campaign services; and the person that finalised the terms of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied). [12058/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

139. To ask the Taoiseach the background to awarding the contract to a company (details supplied) for the provision of media strategy planning and buying services; and the person that will oversee the terms. [12059/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Taoiseach the details of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the provision of marketing pitch specialist services; and the length of this contract. [12060/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Taoiseach the details of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the development of an identity system for rollout to all Departments. [12061/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the provision of digital services and a company (details supplied). [12062/18]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Taoiseach the details of the contracts with companies (details supplied); the date the tender was advertised; the date the tender closed; the number of companies bidding; and the value of each contract awarded. [13022/18]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Taoiseach the status of successful tenders (details supplied) that the Office of Government Procurement ran on behalf of his Department; the amount agreed for each successful tender to carry out the provision for services; when each provision of service will be completed; and the date for publication. [12747/18]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 137 to 142, inclusive, 147 and 151 together.

Six tenders for specialist advice have been awarded by my Department as follows:

ServiceCompanyDate Tender advertisedDate Tender closedNumber of bidsLength of contract
Provision of research and insightBehaviour and Attitudes19/09/201704/10/20176Initial 6 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable
Provision of digital creative servicesRadical (now trading as Core)26/09/201720/10/20174Initial 24 month with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable
Provision of integrated creative and digital campaign servicesTBWA26/09/201720/10/20173Initial 24 months with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable
Provision of media strategy planning and buying servicesPHD04/10/201703/11/20175Initial 12 months with 3 x 12 months extensions allowable
Development of Government identity system for roll out across Government DepartmentsZero-G27/11/20171/12/20173Open
Provision of marketing pitch specialist serviceAgency Assessments28/09/201713/10/20173Initial 12 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable

Procurement for five of these contracts was overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). In line with public procurement, one tender, in respect of identity, was managed by my Department as the estimated cost for services was under the €25,000 threshold.

Contracts were entered into with these companies to facilitate the delivery of the work programme of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), particularly in relation to cross Government informational campaigns.

A contract management process is in place within my Department to oversee all contracts.

The value of the contracts for Radical (Core), PHD Media, TBWA and Agency Assessments was set at a level to allow initial work to be carried out by the successful supplier in each case. The contracts put in place are term contracts. This allows for further work to be carried out by the successful supplier during that term period so the final contract value will be in excess of the original stated value if further work ensues. The contracts put in place do not guarantee any volume of business or exclusivity to the successful supplier.

A research tender with estimated costs of up to €130,000 ex Vat was published on September 18th 2017 to commission an initial report of Government and its services, and a rolling tracker of attitudes. After an open procurement process, overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) the tender was awarded to Behaviour and Attitudes. The research is comprised of an initial survey to determine citizens' view of the role of Government and the areas Government is responsible for in fulfilling its role and, a series of follow-on tracker surveys. The questionnaire which is being used in the research is in the process of being finalised and reviewed and no fieldwork has commenced. Therefore, no findings (preliminary or otherwise) are available. The results and findings of the project, along with relevant collateral such as the questionnaire, will be published once available. This is expected to be during Quarter 2, 2018.

In relation to the contract awarded to a marketing pitch specialist, this contractor provided advice and assistance regarding the appointment of communication agency partners and assists with the appointment of the most suitable agencies for communications tasks. The contract is of a year's duration, commencing in October 2017 with the option of a 12 month extension at the discretion of the Department.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.