Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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990. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget and spend in her Department for marketing, media and social media in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the projected spend for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54458/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The information requested in respect of the expenditure incurred by my Department on marketing, media and social media in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 are set out in the following table:

The Deputy might note that the increase in spending on marketing and media from 2016 to 2017 arose directly from my Department’s campaign to promote more affordable and accessible childcare for families. The measures were introduced in September 2017 and have been a considerable success, with over 60,000 children to date having benefited from them, 25,000 children from the universal and 36,000 children on the targeted. In 2018, a nationwide media campaign seeking expressions of interest in a Collaborative Forum of former residents of the Mother and Baby Homes and those with comparable experience in a County Home account for the majority of expenditure. I opened the inaugural meeting of the Collaborative Forum to facilitate dialogue and action on issues of concern to former residents of Mother and Baby Homes on 26 July 2018. The purpose of the Collaborative Forum is to build upon the process of engagement and consultation with former residents commenced through the facilitated meetings in 2017.

The Deputy might note that my Department does not have a dedicated budget for marketing and media purposes. In the circumstances, it is not possible to identify the projected spend for 2019 as such costs are only incurred when considered necessary and appropriate.