Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

418. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged a third-party company to date in 2021 to conduct online and or social media monitoring and or provide reports on social media coverage of his Department; if so, the cost of same; and the name of the social media platforms being monitored. [25785/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No third-party online or social media monitoring costs were incurred by my Department in 2021.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

419. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if officials in his Department are tasked with conducting online and social media monitoring and completing reports on social media coverage of his Department and his Ministerial activities; if so, the number of staff involved; the respective grades of each; the estimated working hours committed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25803/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department monitors its own and external social media activity through free analytical tools provided by the major social media platforms. No Departmental officials are tasked with compiling reports on social media coverage of either the Department or Ministerial activities.