Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Brian Hayes

Question:

332 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the sum of money spent by his Department on advertising in the media during 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and to date in 2002; the sum of money paid to public relations agencies in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4340/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The use of advertising is a vital medium in the effective delivery of social welfare services to ensure that all citizens are fully aware of their entitlements and are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur across the broad range of social insurance, social assistance and other supports available.

An amount of €3,322,781, £2,616,903, was spent on advertising by the information services of my Department in the period from January 1998 to 1 February 2002.

The following tabular statement gives an annual breakdown of that amount.

Year	Total Amount
1998	€329,299(£259,265)
1999	€515,950(£406,344)
2000	€600,053(£472,580)
2001	€1,519,053(£1,196,351)
2002 (to 1st February)	€358,641(£282,453)

No expenditure was incurred by my Department on public relations agencies during the period in question. The increase in advertising in 2001 can be attributed to the extensive campaigns carried out by my Department in relation to the introduction of the euro and the budget 2002 payment increases, both of which were effective from the beginning of January 2002.

Questions Nos. 333 and 334 answered with Question No. 324.