Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Paul McGrath

Question:

86 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the expenditure by him on advertising in national papers concerning information on foot and mouth disease; if he will compare this figure to the amount allocated to the local press; and the reason expenditure on advertising in the local press was so low or non-existent. [8518/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

Cost of Foot and Mouth Press Advertising Campaign to date

Press (National)	£144,358
Press (Provincial)	£61,000

The nature and timing of the public notice press advertisements is dictated by the immediacy of the response necessary to the evolving foot and mouth situation.

Nevertheless, the importance of the weekly provincial press continues to be recognised and is used to a considerable extent, as evidenced by the figures above.