Michael Ring
Question:119 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of money spent in 2001, 2002 and to date on public relations, marketing and advertising. [18193/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.
The use of advertising is a vital medium in delivering this Government's commitment to ensuring that all of our citizens are fully aware of their social welfare entitlements and are notified about improvements and changes affecting their payments and services.
My Department's expenditure on public relations consultancy in 2002 was €6,534. There was no expenditure of this nature in 2001 or in 2003 to date. Expenditure on advertising in 2001 was €1,519,053, in 2002 it was €1,319,239 and in 2003 to date it has amounted to €71,352. In line with the reduced financial allocations the advertising budget has been reduced in 2003 to €520,000. There was no expenditure on marketing during this period.
Expenditure on advertising during 2002 covered a wide range of departmental schemes and services and included three information campaigns relating to the promotion of the farm assist scheme among low income farmers; the promotion of awareness of the personal public service number and its use as the key to accessing public services; and the Budget 2003 information campaign which advised social welfare customers on when and how their budget increases would be paid.
I am satisfied that expenditure on advertising served to promote awareness and understanding of our schemes and services and provides excellent value for money.