Vol. 513 No. 1
93 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number and grades of staff in his Department assigned to press and public relations work; the consultants, if any, which have been engaged during 1999 for press and public relations matters; the expenditure by his Department during 1999 on press and public relations functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1597/00]
There are six full-time staff and one job sharer assigned to the press and public relations function in my Department as follows: one assistant principal officer; two higher executive officers, one of whom is job sharing; three clerical officers; and one communications co-ordinator.
In 1999 my Department engaged two public relations firms for specific programme related work. Carr Communications was engaged to raise awareness and provide access to information on the water services element of the Cohesion Fund, and Drury Communications was engaged to undertake a campaign of public awareness and information on environmental issues.
Expenditure by my Department during 1999 in respect of press and public relations functions was £571,238 made up as follows: staff costs – £120,000; Carr Communications – £50,434; Drury Communications – £400,804.
