Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Questions (603)

Niall Collins

Question:

603. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total photography costs for his Department per annum since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance in tabular form; 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 his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39478/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The details of photography bookings from 2011 to 2015, including the cost of these incurred by my Department, are published on the Department's website at the following link:http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs.

The details and costs for 2016 will be collated and published in early 2017.

It is the policy of the Department that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff.  Where services are contracted, best value is sought and a number of quotes are obtained. Services are contracted out on an exceptional basis only.