Written answers
Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Department of An Taoiseach
Departmental Advertising Budgets
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
11. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the proposed budget for social media advertising in his Department for 2019. [45715/18]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
12. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the proposed budget for social media advertising in his Department for 2019. [48231/18]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
The cost for any social media advertising undertaken in 2019 will be met from my Department's administrative budget. Costs incurred are expected to be significantly less than the spend on digital advertising in 2018 which is estimated at approximately €450,000.
The expenditure referenced relates to a number of major cross-Government public information campaigns that the Department funded centrally during 2018, for example Healthy Ireland, Global Ireland, Project Ireland 2040 the Self Employed Benefits campaign, aimed at ensuring self employed people are aware of the new and existing benefits available to them.The majority of this expense was incurred prior to July 2018, before changes were made. Public information campaigns in the future will largely be funded by the relevant line Department, as opposed to being funded centrally from this Department.
Communications is ever-evolving. It is important to communicate across a variety of platforms, including social media, to ensure transparent and clarity for all citizens. The Government Information Service is now required to provide a 24/7 service to media organizations, on all topics of public interest, and with short response times. It is also required to generate its own online content, including written, audio and video material, as well as live broadcast on occasion.
No comments