Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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578. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39645/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A total of €7,492 has been expended to date by my Department in relation to online advertising and public awareness campaigns.

This expenditure related to a call for proposals in respect of the Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which was placed in the national press as well as consultation on the drafting of the Department's Irish language Scheme which was advertised online and in an Irish language publication. Details are set out in the table below.

Agencies under my Department may also undertake public awareness campaigns; of particular note is the work undertaken by Irish Water Safety to raise the awareness of measures to be taken to prevent drownings. Total funding of €700k was allocated in 2018 to Irish Water Safety to support drowning prevention measures.

In view of the prolonged period of exceptional warm weather conditions during summer this year, which resulting in much greater numbers of people using our beaches, rivers and lakes for leisure swimming, the media campaign run by Irish Water Safety was extended to run throughout the summer.

My Department has not expended any funds on third party public relations advice or communications advice.