Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount her Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60989/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been working closely with all Government Departments to support the national COVID-19 effort. My Department has contributed to and participated in the large scale cross-Government communications programme which has been running since the start of the pandemic. This includes supporting and amplifying Government and public health messaging through both our internal and external communications channels. There has been no spending by my Department on advertising directly related to COVID-19 during the period in question.

The Deputy may wish to note that while not specifically a campaign to raise awareness of COVID-19, since March 2020 my Department has been running the important ‘Still Here’ campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to reassure victims of domestic abuse that support services from State agencies and the voluntary sector remain available and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of any restrictions in place.

In addition to reminding victims of domestic abuse that help is ‘Still Here’, the campaign reminds anyone concerned for their safety that any restrictions on movement do not apply to people at risk, or who are removing themselves from a domestic abuse situation. To date the Department has spent €397,944.36 on the 'Still Here' campaign.