Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training, for example, Minister, Secretary General, principal officer and so on. [37049/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Effective communication is essential for delivering on the goals of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As part of our learning and development offering, we invest in communication training, which includes media training.

In 2024, the Department worked with NUI Galway to provide a Professional Diploma in Communication course (Level 9) for five First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers, eleven Third Secretaries/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers and nine members of Embassy local staff. The fee paid to NUI Galway was €85,000.

In 2023, the Department worked with the Communications Clinic to provide two sessions of Press Officer training to colleagues in Communications Unit at a total cost of €3,750. Nine Third Secretaries/Higher Executive Officers, eight First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers and one Principal Officer/Counsellor attended the course.

Also in 2023, the Department worked with the Communications Clinic to provide communication training for colleagues working elsewhere in the Department. Six Third Secretary/Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officers, and six First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers attended the course which was delivered at a cost of €2,500.

In 2022, the Communications Clinic provided media training to a Counsellor/PO at a cost of €562.

From 2016 to 2020, the Communications Clinic provided newly assigned Ambassadors and Consul Generals with Communication training at a cost of €18,593 over this period.

From 2015 to 2017, EMCO Cumarsáid Teo provided Media Skills Training as part of the Department's training programme to officers being posted abroad. This programme of training cost €25,500 over this period.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37067/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade communications team manages press relations, citizen awareness campaigns, public diplomacy, multimedia and digital content for gov.ie/dfa and Ireland.ie. The Department at Headquarters does not engage media consultants to deal with public relations or to provide advice around external communications.