Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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89. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff that worked in his Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41170/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The business unit in the Department of the Taoiseach whose function specifically relates to communications is the Government Information Service (GIS). The staff assigned to GIS come under the management of the Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services Division, while respecting the role of the Government Press Secretary and the Deputy Government Press Secretaries in day-to-day management of press and communications activities.

GIS 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;

· 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 and social media channels.