Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Questions (1888)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1888. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport 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 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. [37381/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

It is the policy of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff.  Where services are contracted, best value is sought and a number of quotes are obtained. Services are contracted out on an exceptional basis only. Photography costs for the Department for the period January-June 2012 are set out on the Department's website: http://www.dttas.ie/feature.aspx?id=79. The costs are broken down by date, purpose of event, photographer, whether a press conference or photocall was involved, and so on.  Costs are updated on a quarterly basis for 2012.  Details of all photography costs incurred by the Department during the period 2008-2011 are already published on my Department's website and are also available through the link listed above.