Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Taoiseach the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; and the expected cost for 2023. [8712/23]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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While there are elements of communications to most policy roles in my Department, the Unit in my Department whose function relates to communications is the Government Information Service (GIS).

GIS includes the Government Press Office and the MerrionStreet.ie content team and works on a cross-functional and collaborative basis to:

- provide the Taoiseach, the Government and the Department with Press Office and Communications services;

- ensure strong collaboration and coordination among Press and Communications officials in other Government Departments and Agencies;

- coordinate, amplify and create communications around Government priorities such as Housing for All, Climate Action / Energy, Ukraine, Shared Island, Brexit, COVID-19 and the National Wellbeing Framework; and

- lead the development of Government communications, facilitate and encourage capacity-building in the area of communications and engagement across the civil and public service, and manage the “Government of Ireland” identity and unified web presence (www.gov.ie).

There are currently 18.6 posts in the division, the composition is outlined in the table below. The current rates for General Service Grades used by my Department are set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 19/2022.