Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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509. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by his Department on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity in 2018 by advertising campaign including specific amounts on social media campaigns (details supplied) or other digital platforms; the amount spent on public relations or other communications support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53582/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To date in 2018, payments of €7,491.86 have been made by my Department in relation to public advertising and awareness matters.

In 2018, expenditure was incurred in relation to communications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Project Ireland 2040. A notice relating to the Fund was placed in the national press at the cost of €6,407.38 while further costs of €6,297.92 were incurred in relation to ‘Project Ireland 2040’ on video production services.

A public notice was also placed online and in an Irish language publication, at a cost of €1,084.48, to commence consultations on the drafting of the Department's Irish Language Scheme.

Other expenditure that potentially relates to public relations or communications support during 2018 includes €6,040 spent by my Department on photography services.

My Department has not used the services of any public relations companies or agencies since its establishment in July 2017, nor has it incurred any expenditure in relation to social media campaigns.

The following table summarises payments made by my Department to date in 2018.