Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to his Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; and if it is behind or ahead of profile. [39379/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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These activities are funded from my Department's Administration budget. This budget is currently behind profile. As the deputy will be aware, this area experienced large scale changes during the year, whereby the budget was scaled back significantly.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Taoiseach the cost of his Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships 2018; the number of staff deployed from his Department for the week; and the cost of same. [39404/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Each Department paid for their own stand at the National Ploughing Championship 2018.

Given the fact that the event took place very recently, payments are still being processed and costs will be published once finalised.

The number of staff from my Department varied over the course of the event, depending on the level of activity/support required. Over the course of the event, a number of panel discussions, public information talks and media engagements took place. My Department also hosted a permanent presence from other Departments on topics such as Brexit.

A core team of 6 staff was assigned to the event, with other staff drafted in as required. The purpose of this presence was to provide a co-ordinated and cohesive experience for those attending and engaging with the 7 Government Departments and over 50 State funded agencies, bodies and organisations attending the event. I believe that it was very useful to have a more co-ordinated approach to the Government presence at the National Ploughing Championship. As the communications reform programme is implemented over time, there will be an opportunity to further improve cohesion, co-ordination and value for money for this event.