Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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440. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by her Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41184/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department carries out public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw public attention to important issues in the Justice sector.

In December 2023 I launched the ‘Always Here’ campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The campaign seeks to highlight and signpost victims and wider society to the available support services and encourage them to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them. More information is available at . The Deputy should note that since its establishment in January 2024, responsibility for the management of new and ongoing campaigns in the area of DSGBV has transferred to Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency.

The Victims of Crime – Know Your Rights campaign was launched in April of 2023. When victims of crime begin to engage with the judicial system, they should know both what to expect, what their legally enforceable rights are and the supports available at every step in the process. The campaign directs people to the VictimsCharter.ie website. Victimscharter.ie sets out your rights in an easily accessible manner and helps victims of crime to locate services and supports available.

Every year, as we approach Halloween, my Department runs an awareness raising initiative aimed at ensuring the public is aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks and bonfires. The 2024 campaign launched on September 26 across radio and social media and runs for approximately five weeks, up to 31 October 2024.

Last week, I announced the appointment of chairpersons to the first seven Local Community Safety Partnerships being established across the country. These appointments follow a recruitment campaign by my Department and expressions of interest conducted by each Local Authority. The newly appointed Chairs will work to develop and manage Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) within their respective areas.

The appointment of new chairs is the first step in the development of a Community Safety Plan in every Local Authority Area. Each partnership will develop a plan which meets the needs of their community. It will set out the actions to be taken to improve community safety and allow communities to hold local services accountable for implementation of the plan.

Finally, Department has implemented an ongoing public information campaign relating to voluntary returns during 2024. This campaign aims to draw awareness to the return assistance available for migrants without permission in the State who wish to return to their country of origin. The costs involved in this campaign relate to the printing of the materials which include posters and information leaflets to be distributed through the Embassies and relevant stakeholders providing frontline services to migrants in the State.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

* Its important to note that the Agency, who were involved in these campaigns, were contracted through an Office of Government Procurement (OGP) framework.