It is assumed that the Deputy is seeking information in relation to external public relations consultancies and organisations. The attached table outlines the information in relation to the cost of hiring external public relations used by the Department of Defence from February 2000 to February 2011.
Year
|
Company Name
|
Expenditure
€
|
2001
|
Gallagher & Kelly Public Relations
|
10,666
|
2002
|
Gallagher & Kelly Public Relations
Sweeney Communications
|
21,382
12,235
|
2003
|
-
|
Nil
|
2004
|
Sweeney Communications
|
9,788
|
2007
|
Murray Consultants
|
253,300
|
2008
|
Murray Consultants
|
1,848,000
|
2009
|
-
|
Nil
|
2010
|
-
|
Nil
|
2011
|
-
|
Nil
|
The bulk of the above expenditure relates to a Public Information and Awareness Campaign on Emergency Planning. The main focus of the campaign was the publication and distribution of a handbook – ‘Preparing for Major Emergencies’. The handbook was distributed to every household in the country. My Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.