My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as communications, energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time. In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following tabular format.
Company
|
Purpose of Consultancy
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
To date 2014
|
Morrow Communications Ltd
|
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey.
|
€80,485.91
|
€36,552.71
|
€18,318.06
|
€4,358.70
|
Murray Consultants
|
Media Services to the Department.
|
€8,349
|
|
|
|
McConnells Advertising Agency
|
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover moving from analogue TV to Digital TV.
|
|
€72, 897
|
|
|
Communications Consultants Ireland
|
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation
|
|
|
€1,796.78
|
|
TOTAL COST PER YEAR
|
|
€88,834.91
|
€109,449.71
|
€20,114.84
|
€4,358.70
|