Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Richard Bruton

Question:

121 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of people employed in his Department's press office; the estimated annual budget of the office; the estimated cost of public relation consultancy engaged by his Department, showing the figures for 1998, 2000; and the estimated costs for 2001. [15889/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Five officials are assigned to my Department's press office, and the estimated annual budget of the office is £295,000, exclusive of staff costs.

Public relations consultancies were engaged by my Department in 1998 and 1999 and the costs in those years were £8,088 and £5,549, respectively. No such consultancies were engaged in 2000. The estimated cost of a consultancy currently in progress is £26,000.