Public Relations Contracts Data

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Questions (197)

Niall Collins

Question:

197. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum since March 2011 in tabular form; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39500/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In relation to my Department's policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where the matters involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department. Such engagement is done in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Finance "Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and other External Support by the Civil Service".

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the period from 2014 to October 2016 is set out in the table. This information is not readily available for the period prior to 2014.

The table provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department:

Year	Name of Firm	Purpose
2014	Mitchell-Kane, Belfast	Consultancy, Creation of brand, guidelines and logo
2014	ZOO Digital, D2	Creation of online banner advertising Design,Development and project management of website Set up Hosting for 1 year
2014	Phd, Clonskeagh, D14	Digital advertising and online media awareness campaign
2014	Prontaprint	Printing of Flyers and Business Cards
2014	Careers Unlimited	Stand at Jobs Expo 2014, Cork and Dublin
2014	Gds, Tallaght	Pull-up stands for graphic display
2014	Carr Communications	Interview board training & interviewee skills training
2015	Carr Communications	Interview board training & interviewee skills training
2015	Phd, Clonskeagh, D14	Digital advertising and online media awareness campaign
2015	Zoo Digital D2	Skills to Work website
2016	Carr Communications	Interview board training & interview skills training
2016	Zoo Digital D2	ToolTip Skills to Work website pop-up installation
2016	Carr Communications	To provide professional advice on communications support to develop an information campaign on reform initiatives in the second level school system
2016	Carr Communications	Communications/interview skills training and Communications workshop
2016	Career Zoo	Cost of stand space at Career Zoo, IFSC