Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11113/19]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount spent by company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11130/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

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. 

The vast bulk of my Department's media expenditure 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. 

Spark Foundry (formerly Mediavest) hold the central Governmental contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. 

My Department spent €14,084 on online advertising in 2018 while there has been no similar expenditure to date in 2019. 

My Department has not engaged or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency nor have they spent any money on social media advertising in 2018 or to date in 2019. 

PQ 11113/19 -Online Advertising 2018