Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

588. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide a schedule of the amount expended by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, on external training, simulations and advice in advance relating to appearances as witnesses at Oireachtas committees, from 2021 to date in 2025; if the supplier of services will also be provided, with a brief outline of services provided, indicating for which Oireachtas committee the services were utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31501/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can confirm that my Department has not engaged any external training, simulations or advice relating to appearances as witnesses at Oireachtas committees during the time outlined.

In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, I would note that they are independent legal entities, responsible for their own operational matters. With the exception of Pobal, all agencies under the aegis of my Department have confirmed they have not engaged any such services over the time period in question. Pobal, who administer programmes on behalf of a number of Government Departments, have confirmed they have engaged MKC Communications to provide services in advance of appearances before Oireachtas committees and details of this expenditure is provided in the table at the link below.