Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has undertaken procurement processes in relation to consultancy agencies media or otherwise to assist it with formulating or contributing to policy messaging on social media or videos on behalf of his Departmental strategies or policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15387/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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It is my Department’s policy to conduct procurement in a fair, open and transparent manner that is fully compliant with EU procurement Directives and national procurement guidelines.  Most recently, my Department worked with Government Information Services (GIS) to develop digital media assets to support its work in promoting Teaching Transforms, the Teacher Supply campaign. Procurement for the development and publication/presentation of these assets was conducted by GIS. The Department recently commissioned a video to play at the launch of the Action Plan for Education and to run on social media. This video was developed by an external agency, following a competitive procurement process.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which his Departmental officials have been contributing to and taking part in Government of Ireland social media messages; the way in which they are coordinated in each of the policy areas of his Department; the Department that is the lead Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15404/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Skills uses its twitter account to amplify its messages relating to education policy. In the main these messages relate to press releases but also cover new information or campaigns relevant to its agencies or bodies that have an education message. In addition the Department retweets or refers to messages that are complementary to a whole of Government approach on relevant issues. The Department liaises with other Departments where necessary in this respect.