Consultancy Contracts.

Tuesday, 22 February 2005

Questions (61)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

58 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number, cost and status of all public relations consultancies, contracts or procurements entered into by or on behalf of his Department or its agencies or agencies in the past three years; the terms of reference in each such appointment; the person to whom such persons report and from whom they receive instructions; if any such person or groups had any previous contracts, commitments or employment with either of the Government parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5543/05]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The total number of PR consultancy contracts entered into by or on behalf of this Department in the past three years was 13 — three by my Department and ten by bodies under the aegis of my Department. Details of the contracts awarded by my Department are listed in Appendix 1, and details in respect of bodies under the aegis of the Department are listed in Appendix 2.

The PR consultancies listed were not engaged previously by this Department during the lifetime of the current Government.

Appendix 1. PR contracts awarded by the Department of the Taoiseach.

1. Grayling Gilmore
Length of Contract:	July 2003-January 2004
Cost:	€60,000
Terms of Reference:	To promote and sustain awareness of Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency and its positive implications for the country. To highlight the calendar of events in advance of the Presidency and to explain the implications of our hosting of the Presidency domestically and internationally. To assist the Government Press Office with the effective communication of how and why decisions are made at European level, to encourage our citizens to engage in the processes that shape our lives. To promote and sustain awareness of Ireland’s hosting of the Presidency and its positive implications for the country. July 2003: To organise a National Launch of Ireland’s Presidency logo in tandem with the launch of the EU Event Calendar, involving the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and senior Ministers. August 2003: The organisation and management of a 4 week publicity campaign that would highlight the main Ministerial meetings and how they impact on the lives of citizens in those regions. December 2003: To promote and increase awareness immediately prior to our take-over of the EU Presidency by positively engaging the public both locally and nationally in the importance and significance of the role.
Instructed by:	Grayling Gilmore reported to and received instructions from the Government Press Secretary and the Press and Information Office in the Department of the Taoiseach.
Status:	Completed

2. Carr Communications

Length of Contract:	May 2004-July 2004
Cost:	€12,100
Terms of Reference:	A contract for PR consultancy services was entered into by this Department in respect of the publication of the National Disability Strategy. The contract was completed with the publication of the Strategy on 21st September 2004. Its purpose was: To ensure consistency and quality across the Outline Sectoral Plans; to advise on the arrangements for publication of the Disability Bill, the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill and the Outline Sectoral Plans; to support and advise on a common approach to public information in the case of the above.
Instructed by:	Carr Communications reported to the Department’s Social Policy Unit working closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Status:	Completed

3. Des Geraghty

Length of Contract:	May 2004 — Ongoing
Cost:	€2,275 (plus €445 for travel and subsistence expenses)
Terms of Reference:	Mr. Geraghty, former President of SIPTU, is engaged to advise the Contact Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, to progress the Affordable Housing Initiative under Sustaining Progress, and to work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on promoting the initiative and assisting with general communication issues including interaction with those in the relevant target group.
Instructed by:	Mr. Geraghty reports to the Social Partners on progress made on the Affordable Housing Initiative. Mr. Geraghty’s instructions are set out in the terms of reference in his contract.
Status:	Ongoing

Appendix 2: PR contracts awarded by bodies under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach

Information Society Commission — Fleishman-Hillard Saunders
Length of Contract:	October 2002 — December 2004
Cost:	€121,180
Terms of Reference:	The Information Society Commission appointed a public relations agency, FHS, to provide media and communications advice in relation to the development of its work programme, including stakeholder engagement with its 13 reports to Government and supporting research.
Instructed by:	Independent Chair of the ISC, Dr. Danny O’Hare, Former President of Dublin City University.
Status:	Completed

All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution — Dónall Ó Maolfabhail

Length of Contract:	2002
Cost:	€6,600
Terms of Reference:	PR services re publication of Parliament Report
Instructed by:	Secretary to the Committee
Status:	Completed

Length of Contract:	2003
Cost:	€5,000
Terms of Reference:	PR services re launch of Report on Government, and oral hearings on Property Rights
Instructed by:	Secretary to the Committee
Status:	Completed

Length of Contract:	2004
Cost:	€2,500
Terms of Reference:	PR retainer and fees re launch of Property Rights Report
Instructed by:	Secretary to the Committee
Status:	Completed

NESC — O'Herlihy Communications

Length of Contract:	November 2003
Cost:	€6,804
Terms of Reference:	To provide PR services for NESC
Instructed by:	Director of NESC
Status:	Ongoing

NESF — O'Herlihy Communications

Length of Contract:	November 2004 (One month)
Cost:	€1,515
Terms of Reference:	Launch of NESF Forth Periodic Report
Instructed by:	Director of NESF
Status:	Completed

NCPP — Caden Communications

Length of Contract:	May 2003
Cost:	€83,446
Terms of Reference:	To provide media and communication advice as requested
Instructed by:	Director of NCPP
Status:	Ongoing

National Forum on Europe

(a) Keating & Associates
Length of Contract:	January 2002 — March 2002
Cost:	€38,143
Terms of Reference:	Engaged to provide a media strategy and carry out a market Survey on behalf of the National Forum on Europe
Instructed by:	Secretary General of the National Forum on Europe
Status:	Completed

(b) Caroline Erskine

Length of Contract:	2002 — ongoing
Cost:	€125,895
Terms of Reference:	Engaged on a per diem basis primarily for media relations and communications functions for the Forum covering regional, national and international media organisations.
Instructed by:	Director, National Forum on Europe and Deputy Director, National Forum on Europe (and the Chairman of the National Forum on Europe as required).
Status:	Under contract until June 2005

Length of Contract:	2002 — ongoing
Cost:	€82,240
Terms of Reference:	Engaged on a per diem basis primarily for media relations and communications functions for the Forum covering regional, national and international media organisations.
Instructed by:	Director, National Forum on Europe and Deputy Director, National Forum on Europe (and the Chairman of the National Forum on Europe as required).
Status:	Under contract until February 2005