Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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299. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department employs persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23229/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, does not engage external firms or agencies for the purpose set out in the question.

One of the responsibilities of my Department's Press Office is to communicate in a strategic and effective manner my Department’s messages and goals to all stakeholders.  The Press Office organises all media engagements and press conferences undertaken by me as Minister and officials of my Department.  It is the principal point of contact for the media and prepares and coordinates all press releases and statements for issue to the media.