Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Questions (302)

Barry Cowen

Question:

302. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, broken down by year, the total photography costs for his Department since coming into office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; if he will provide 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. [23425/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the engagement of service providers by my Department operates within the parameters of value for money; where possible, every effort is made to minimise costs.  In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.  The following table sets out the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's photography costs for 2011:

Event/Occasion	Name of Photographer	Breakdown of Costs	Total Cost
Irish Presidency EUPAN HRWG/IPSG meeting	Fennell Photography	Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55	€104.55
Irish Presidency EUPAN Directors General meeting	Fennell Photography	Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55	€104.55
Public Service Excellence Awards 2012	Maxwell Photography	Photographer hired to take photographs of the award recipients and provide copies for them	€811.52
Total	-----------	------------	€1,020.62

I understand the Office of Public Works will contact the Deputy directly regarding this matter.