Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 6

Written Answers. - Retention of Firms for Marketing Projects.

Ivan Yates

Question:

293 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the firms which have been retained by State-sponsored bodies in his Departmental area and that of his Minister of State for market research, advertising, public relations and marketing purposes; the projects, if any, which are being carried out by each of these firms; the fees or retainers, if any, which are being paid for each of these projects; the duration of the contract for each project; if all services were secured through tendering; and if he will give details of the tendering procedures.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department. It is a basic principle that all contracts are based on competitive tendering save in exceptional circumstances.

Ivan Yates

Question:

294 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the firms which have been retained in his Departmental area and that of his Minister of State for market research, advertising, public relations and marketing purposes; the projects, if any, which are being carried out by each of these firms; the fees or retainers, if any, which are being carried out for each of these projects; the duration of the contract for each project; if all such services were secured through tendering; and if he will give details of the tendering procedure used.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Firms are contracted from time to time by my Department to assist with market research, advertising and public relations. These firms are not paid a retainer but are contracted on a fee per service basis. The duration of the contracts vary depending on the nature of the service involved. With one exception, where the firm is unique in the service it offers, all contracts have been awarded following the consideration of tenders.

The firms currently contracted by my Department are:

Arks Advertising Ltd

—for the 1993 National Anti-Smoking Campaign at a total cost of approximately £250,000.

Gilmore Communications Ltd

(i) for the National Healthy Eating Week at a cost of £10,000, and

(ii) for the schools' poster competition at a total cost of £50,000.

Convenience Advertising

—for the placing and maintaining of AIDS awareness messages in toilets and washroom facilities at a cost of £80,000 in 1993. This is the only firm in Ireland to offer this service and the contract was therefore not put to tender.

Brindley Advertising Ltd

The State advertising contract for the placing of advertisements and notices on behalf of all Government Departments is held by Brindley Advertising Ltd. No charge is payable by my Department to Brindleys for this service. The duration of the contract is for a three year period from 31st May 1991. The contract was entered into by the Department of Finance and Brindleys following compliance with normal tendering arrangements.