Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs expenditure on social media advertising from time to time. During the period January 2021 to 12 June 2021 my Department spent €28,513 on social media advertising.

In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is committed to providing the highest standard of communications, stakeholder engagement, and open and transparent dialogue in order to inform policy making and enhance our services for citizens. Our communications approach is designed to enhance our reputation and build trust through collaboration and engagement. Social media is a critical tool in achieving these objectives, and we place a high value on ensuring that our social media channels are actively engaging with citizens on issues that are important to them. The Communications and Media Relations Division of my Department is responsible for managing my Department’s social media accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Given the high value my Department places on communications and public engagement, resources for our Communications and Media Relations Division have increased over the last two years, with the addition of staff with design, videography and content creation skills. This has increased capacity to create content in-house for all social channels.

Despite this increased capacity, there is still a need to procure external services in video production and content creation for certain campaigns and, in this regard, a total of €738 was spent on content production costs for social media for the period specified in the Question.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

182. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has spent €24,761 on public relations consultancy during the period January 2021 to date; these costs related to services provided for the Tellus project. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and keeping expenditure to the minimum necessary.

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.  The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought in respect of their organisations.