Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Michael Ring

Question:

177 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the amount which was spent in his Department for 2002 for media purposes and advertising; the areas in which the money was spent, that is, national newspapers, provincial newspapers, RTE radio and local radios; the amount of money which was spent on videos for promotional, educational or advertising purposes; the public relations staff which are employed in his Department; and the cost for 2002. [4186/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

A total of €1,633,297 was spent by my Department for media purposes and advertising in the year 2002. Expenditure was incurred across the whole media spectrum including the Iris Oifigiúil, television, local radio, national and provincial newspapers, other local publications as well as cinema advertising and billboard poster campaigns.

There are five people employed in my Department's press office. In addition, a communications firm which has been retained, since July 2002, to provide advice and assistance on a range of interactions between my Department and the public and the media. The cost of this service for 2002 was €47,197.

A number of other consultancy firms are employed from time to time for a range of functions. These include: promoting awareness of important issues relating to my Department's function; fulfilling publicity and information requirements under Cohesion Fund regulations; and providing media monitoring services or providing other advice or assistance as required. The cost of these services for 2002 was €2,243,242.

There was no expenditure incurred by my Department in the production of videos.

Since June 2002 my Department has had responsibility for heritage functions. While some general advertising costs in relation to these are included in the above expenditure figure for 2002, other advertising costs were charged to heritage projects and programmes and have not been included.