Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public Relations Consultants.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

119 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total amount of money spent by his Department on press and public relations activities and specifically on the engagement of press or public relations consultants in respect of each of the periods, July to December 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and to date in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26703/01]

Paul Bradford

Question:

545 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the public relations or advertising campaigns which have been funded or part-funded by his Department since June 1997, which involve the personal appearance of the Minister or Ministers of State on television, radio or in newspapers; the cost of any such campaigns; if any such campaigns are planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26808/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 545 together.

The cost of running my Department's press office and of communications staff employed by my Department from July 1997 to date is as follows:

July-December 1997	£95,253.75
1998	£201,797.40
1999	£179,778.25
2000	£259,480.09
2001 to date	£279,144.17

The Department does not engage any firms to carry out press or public relations functions. However, a number of firms are employed from time to time to promote awareness of important issues relating to my Department's functions and to fulfil publicity and information requirements under Cohesion Fund regulations. No publicity or awareness campaigns financed by my Department since June 1997 have involved personalised appearances by the Minister or the Ministers of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government.