Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

460 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and names of persons working in a public relations or similar capacity, whether directly or on a consultancy basis, for his Department; the person or persons to whom each individual group reports; the precise function of each individual; the terms, conditions of employment and remuneration in each case; the vote or subhead from which this remuneration is taken; the operating instructions, if any, given in each case and by whom; the outside agencies, if any, involved in this work; if so, the extent of this involvement; the extent and nature of back-up facilities, if any, available to these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8037/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Drury Communications have been retained, following a competitive tendering process, for ongoing public relations advice to myself and my Department. The cost of this on an annual basis is £60,000. Drurys are also carrying out a separate one year project which involves the audit of media communications, operating procedures, training and restructuring requirements. The cost of this project, which commenced in November 1997 is £29,540. These consultancies are paid out of subhead A.7 of the Department of Health and Children's administrative budget.

The health promotion unit has engaged Gilmore Communications, again following a competitive tendering process, to provide a public relations consultancy for the National Healthy Eating Campaign 1998. The contract was awarded on 6 November 1997 for the duration of one year. The management fee for this campaign is £25,000 in 1998 and this will be paid out of subhead H of the Department's budget.

No back-up is provided to consultancy firms who are on retainer to the Department. However, because of the nature of their work, they tend to operate in close contact with staff. It would not be possible to specify in every case exactly who a consultancy firm reports to or deals with. In general, contact would be with senior management of the Department, and with staff in relevant areas, as issues arise.