Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Michael Ring

Question:

170 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount which was spent in his Department for 2002 for media purposes and advertising; the areas in which the money was spent, that is, national newspapers, provincial newspapers, RTE radio and local radios; the amount of money which was spent on videos for promotional, educational or advertising purposes; the public relations staff which are employed in his Department; and the cost for 2002. [4185/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

My Department is responsible for a wide range of matters. The information sought by the Deputy in respect of advertising placed by my Department is set out in the following table. This information does not include any expenditure by the courts, the Garda Síochána, prisons or Land Registry and Registry of Deeds direct from their respective Votes.

Expenditure outlined mainly relates to advertising costs in relation to such matters as recruitment and tender competitions, availability of funding under the national development plan, raising of awareness on particular issues, information on legislation, provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, invitations to make submissions to review groups or tribunals and information regarding holiday opening and closing times of the Department's offices.

Advertisements that my Department wishes to place in the local and national press must be routed through the central Government contract which has been placed for this purpose. My Department does not routinely maintain records in relation to individual publications, rather of the totals invoiced and paid on foot of the contract.

Print Media	Television	National Radio	Local Radio	Video	Other
€1,830,148	€222,558	€76,884	€147,352	€10,000	€364,830

The expenditure by my Department on public relations in 2002 was €147,294. No staff are engaged in my Department on public relations. In relation to the staff engaged in my Department's press office I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 312 of 12 February.