Vol. 490 No. 5
318 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the costs incurred since July 1997 for public relations and media advice to him, for personal photographs and any photographic work to cover functions attended by him outside of the normal coverage provided by photographers of local and national papers. [10728/98]
No costs have been incurred by me since July 1997 for public relations and media advice. Such work has been done in-house by the press and information section of my Department. Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Science I have put in place many major policy initiatives such as the £250 million Education Technology Investment Fund, Schools IT2000, additional Youthreach places, Modern Languages for Primary Schools and the Points Commission. To date my Department has paid £3,959.58 for all photographic work in respect of these and other important programmes which I have put in place since my appointment. As the Deputy will be aware, any such costs incurred are dictated by the level of activity undertaken. However, I should mention that the majority of such work is undertaken in-house by the press and information section of my Department in consultation with local and national media.
