Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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426. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [53568/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Press and Communications Office in my Department is the primary point of contact between the Department and members of the media, as well as members of the general public. The office is responsible for communicating with media and members of the public regarding the work of the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Department's social media presence is also managed by the Press and Communications Office.

My Department did not engage external public relations services.

The vast bulk of my Department's advertising is in respect of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial and national newspapers. This expenditure includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Decisions on the placement of notices are made on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the advertisement and the target audience.

Advertising & Publicity 2018