Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Questions (623)

Barry Cowen

Question:

623. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her 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 her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49135/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The table sets out the information requested by the Deputy in respect of payments made for the use of photographers for the period since I came to office on 11 July 2014 to date. The hiring of photographers for Ministerial or Departmental events is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the engagement, the expected level of media interest and the national/regional scope of the subject. At all times, value for money is a critical consideration in the context of the booking of photographers.

Occasion	Photographer	Cost
Photocall with winner of Herald Archangel Award at Edinburgh Festival 2014	Maxwell Photography	€486
Launch of Ireland 2016 commemorative programme at G.P.O.	Maxwell Photography	€482
Photographs of Minister and two Ministers of State for official Departmental use	Maxwell Photography	€200
	TOTAL	€1,168