Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2012

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Questions (102)

Niall Collins

Question:

104 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24748/12]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The booking of photographers is managed by my Press Office in each case. My Department's policy on photography is that we retain a panel of at least three agencies at all times with a view to selecting the most cost effective option on a case by case basis. I have not used the Ministerial Allowance to date.

Photography Costs — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources — Feb 2011-May 2012 Inclusive

Pay Date	Company	Event Date	Occasions	Cost
15/07/2011	Maxwell Photography	13/06/2011	Government convenes Next Generational Broadband Taskforce	340.92
29/08/2011	Maxwell Photography	27/07/2011	Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot)	274.97
12/10/2011	Maxwell Photography	23/09/2011	Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use	409.58
18/11/2011	Maxwell Photography	24/10/2011	Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin	552.67
29/12/2011	Fennell Photography	09/12/2011	Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards	510.75
16/01/2012	Maxwell Photography	(1) 27/11/11	Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy	1,052.70
(2) 16/11/11	Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative)
25/01/2012	Jason Clarke Photography	10/01/2012	Launch of Community Outreach Campaign — Digital TV Switchover	492.00
23/01/2012	Jason Clarke Photography	13/01/2012	Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service	492.00
17/02/2012	Jason Clarke Photography	06/02/2012	Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools	492.00
14/03/2012	Jason Clarke Photography	01/03/2012	Minister Rabbitte welcomes the 23 Digital Outreach Champions	492.00
	Maxwell Photography	02/05/2012	Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch	485.85
			Total	€5,595.44