Written Answers Nos. 78 - 105
78. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Taoiseach if work has officially commenced on developing a comprehensive roadmap to double Ireland's global footprint; and if so, the expected date this work will be completed and published. [1509/18]
View answer94. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Taoiseach his plans to publish a report on plans to double Ireland's global footprint; and the expected publication date of the report. [53968/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 94 together.
The aim of the 'Ireland’s Global Footprint 2025’ initiative is to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s overseas footprint in the period to 2025, enhancing our ability to advance our strategic international goals, and to promote our interests internationally.
A detailed process of engagement to advance the initiative is underway involving all relevant Departments and State Agencies.
A finalised plan will be ready for consideration by Government in the coming weeks, and it is envisaged that the initiative will be launched to coincide with the St. Patrick’s Day period.
79. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met with the religious leaders recently. [1385/18]
View answerOn 31 August last, I held a formal meeting under the structured dialogue process with representatives of the Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and by the Ministers for Education and Skills; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport and Employment Affairs & Social Protection.
A wide ranging discussion took place on a range of important national and international issues including the World Meeting of Families in August 2018 and the possibility of a visit to Ireland by the Pope, education issues, the 8th Amendment of the Constitution, Northern Ireland, overseas development aid, social and justice issues. I was very pleased with the engagement that took place and found the exchange to be valuable. Churches and faith communities play an important role in Irish life and I think it is very beneficial that Government should engage with them in a structured way.
This was the first in a series of meetings that I will be holding with dialogue partners. I will be meeting with representatives of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in the coming week.
I also recently received a courtesy call from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, as is traditional around Christmas time and the New Year.
80. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee C, European Union, including Brexit, last met; and when the committee will next meet. [1386/18]
View answerI established Cabinet Committee C to cover issues relating to the European Union, including Brexit. It assists Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit and also supports my participation as a member of the European Council.
Cabinet Committee C last met on 11 September. The date of the next meeting has not yet been confirmed.
Preparing for and dealing with Brexit in a way that delivers the best possible outcome for the country remains a top priority for the Government. Its potential consequences cut across very many areas of our national and economic life, and it is being dealt with in a whole-of-Government way, including through Cabinet Committee C, and also through Cabinet Committee A, which covers issues relating to the economy, jobs and competitiveness. There has been regular discussion of Brexit issues at full Cabinet meetings, including in the run-up to the December agreement between the EU and the UK, and at the all-day meeting in Cork last year.
82. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the Government initiatives in 2017 that promoted State services or welfare payments, public awareness on regulatory changes and public consultations that involved advertising and promotion on television, radio, newspapers and online, in tabular form; the level of expenditure for each such initiative; and if the strategic communications unit was involved in each initiative including the issuing of instructions and advice on promoting each such initiative. [54417/17]
View answer83. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if a public procurement tender process was carried out for each Government-branded information initiative in 2017 that promoted State services or welfare payments, public awareness on regulatory changes and public consultations, in tabular form. [54418/17]
View answer84. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach his views on confirmation by a person (details supplied) that the Government-branded information initiative was conceived by the strategic communications unit; and if all local, national and online media information awareness campaigns on State services which were previously the responsibility of Government Departments will be under the Government brand henceforth. [54419/17]
View answer88. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name of each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; and the amount in euro, in tabular form. [54432/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 84, inclusive, and 88 together.
The Strategic Communications Unit in my Department was involved in the Government initiatives in 2017 listed in the following table.
|
Initiative |
SCU Involvement |
Cost ** |
|
Back to School |
Video support and sponsored posts on social media |
Work completed, invoices to be received. Est costs €10,000 ex VAT |
|
Treatment Benefits |
Video support, sponsored posts on social media and provision of the Government of Ireland logo |
€5,445.83 Further invoices due for social media spend |
|
Winter Ready |
Provision of Government of Ireland logo |
NIL |
|
Regional Development Fund |
Video support, sponsored posts on social media and provision of the Government of Ireland logo |
€7905.83 |
|
Budget '18 |
Video support, sponsored posts on social media and provision of the Government of Ireland logo |
Work completed, invoices to be received. Est costs €15,000 ex VAT |
|
Bliain na Gaeilge |
Provision of the Government of Ireland logo - Rialtas na hEireann |
NIL |
|
Luas Cross City |
Video support, sponsored posts on social media and provision of Government of Ireland logo. |
Work completed, invoices to be received. Est costs €5,000 ex VAT |
|
Healthy Ireland |
Creative Production for Radio and Digital media campaign |
€16,605 Further invoices to follow. |
**These figures relate to expenditure incurred and to be incurred by the Strategic Communications Unit and do not include costs incurred by the relevant department on other media activity around each campaign.
There was no spend by my Department on advertising government Information campaigns in national and regional newspapers in 2017.
All contracts awarded by my Department are procured in accordance with standard public procurement rules through the Office of Government Procurement.
As part of the Government's simplification of communications for Irish citizens, one of the main projects under development is streamlining the myriad of Government identities into one unified Government of Ireland identity. International best practice has demonstrated that rationalising Government branding can create notable efficiencies, cost savings and significant improvement in clarity for citizens as to the work of Government.
Countries such as Canada, the UK and the Netherlands have successfully undertaken significant Government identity rationalisation projects in the last decade.
Building on the identity work developed as part of the Creative Ireland 2017 work programme - a streamlined identity "Rialtas na hÉireann" Government of Ireland, with the traditional Harp is now being piloted across Government.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
85. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of extant legal proceedings to which the Attorney General is a party or a notice party in which the constitutional validity or consistency of an enactment has been challenged; the enactments involved and the present stage of those proceedings; the number of those cases in which a Minister is not also a party; and the number of cases in which the Director of Public Prosecutions or another public authority is also a party. [54429/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is wide-ranging and its production would necessitate a manual audit of a significant number (c.10,000) of the litigation files open in the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor. Current statistical reporting from the Offices’ Case Management System does not capture the particular aspects of the Deputy’s query, for example, information on the various enactments under challenge in any proceedings. Additionally, cases remain active on the system until all aspects of the matter are concluded, which may extend well beyond judgment or settlement in a case, if the taxation of costs arises.
86. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the Acts or parts of Acts awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; and the reason for the delay in commencement in each case. [54430/17]
View answerThere are no Acts, or parts of Acts under the Department of the Taoiseach awaiting commencement.
87. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; and the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form. [54431/17]
View answerThe following tables detail expenditure by my Department on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations and website development for 2017. There was no expenditure on media interview training and preparation.
No expenditure was incurred in these categories by the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department.
PHOTOGRAPHY
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
Photography services for visit of UK PM Theresa May, including supply of images and distribution to media. |
€695.25 |
|
K. Ziegler |
Photography services for the Taoiseach’s visit to Rome, November 2016 |
€357.00 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Passport photos |
€12.00 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Visa photos |
€12.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services for the Department of the Taoiseach |
€571.95 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services: Ministers receiving their seals of office |
€438.52 |
|
Donal Moloney |
Photography for "Finite Lives" report |
€5,675.00 |
|
Marty Katz Photography |
Photography services for Taoiseach, Washington DC, St. Patrick’s Day events. |
€2,354.24 |
|
Tom Sandler Photography |
Photography services for Taoiseach visit to Toronto, Canada Trade Mission |
€594.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services, appointment of ADC |
€258.30 |
ADVERTISING
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
FCR Media Ltd |
Departmental entry in State Directory Section of Phonebook 2017/2018 |
€5,571.90 |
|
Cawley Nea TBWA Ltd |
Production costs of videos for Regional Development Fund and Treatment Benefits including €2,000 for social media spend on RDF. |
€13,351.55 |
|
Cawley Nea TBWA Ltd |
Production for radio and digital media advertising: Healthy Ireland Campaign |
€16,605.00 |
COMMUNICATIONS ADVICE/PUBLIC RELATIONS
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Q4 PUBLIC RELATIONS |
PR and Communication Services for Data Summit 2017 |
€30,750 |
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
pTools |
Development work on Dept. Taoiseach's website |
€1,240.20 |
|
pTools |
Development work on merrionstreet.ie website |
€157.85 |
89. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the planned meetings of Brexit sherpas in 2018. [54450/17]
View answerThe Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach acts as Ireland's Sherpa. In this capacity, he meets and exchanges views regularly with his EU counterparts on a range of EU issues, including those in relation to Brexit.
At this time, no formal meetings of Sherpas have yet been scheduled for 2018 however, communication is on going and regular.
90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach when the CSO will be in a position to publish figures bringing crime statistics up to date. [54451/17]
View answerThe publication of Recorded Crime statistics by the CSO is dependent on the provision of PULSE data by An Garda Síochána (AGS) to the CSO. AGS are currently reviewing the homicide data recorded in the PULSE system. The CSO recognises the importance of recorded crime statistics to users and have engaged with AGS to complete this review as quickly as possible. As AGS have indicated that the review process in relation to the queries raised by CSO should be completed in the near future, the CSO plans to recommence publication of recorded crime statistics within the first six months of 2018.
91. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved in each case; the title of each report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54489/17]
View answerThe following table details the external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011.
|
Name |
Costs |
Date of Commission |
Date of Publication |
Consultant |
|
Health and Safety Statement 2011 |
€1,270 |
2011 |
2011 |
QTS Ltd |
|
Health and Safety Statement 2012 |
€1,270 |
2012 |
2012 |
QTS Ltd |
|
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Assessment and Disabled Access Review |
€307 |
2013 |
2013 |
QTS Ltd |
|
Health and Safety Statement 2013 and Risk Assessment |
€1,783 |
2013 |
2013 |
QTS Ltd |
|
Local Diaspora Toolkit |
€14,300 |
2015 |
2015 |
Clinton Institute UCD |
|
Getting smarter about smart cities: Improving data privacy and data security |
€14,058 |
2015 |
2015 |
Maynooth University |
|
Dublin’s North East Inner City |
€11,800 |
2016 |
2017 |
Kieran Mulvey |
|
Historical Research Project |
€2,608 |
2017 |
2017 |
University College Dublin |
|
Health and Safety Statement 2017 and Risk Assessment |
€2,583 |
2017 |
2017 |
Quadra |
92. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; 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 in tabular form; and if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department. [54492/17]
View answerThe information on photography costs for my Department for the period from March 2011 to December 2017, inclusive, is set out in the following tables. These tables include the cost, the name of the photographer and the occasions involved.
Photographers are engaged for official purposes only. Local photographers are used on international visits, trade missions etc., to maximise cost efficiencies. Photography costs in my Department have reduced significantly in recent years. The 2017 expenditure of €10,969 represents a reduction of more than 85% when compared with expenditure of €83,398 in 2008.
Increasingly my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house, thereby reducing costs.
PHOTOGRAPHY
2011
|
Vendor Name |
Description |
Amount |
|
The Press Association |
The Press Association, Nottingham |
€ 139.30 |
|
Hackett's Reprographics |
Visa photos for 1 of the Taoiseach's delegation for USA Mar 2011, 10 Mar 2011 |
€ 20.25 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
1916 Commemoration 24/04/2011 |
€ 502.45 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
SDLP 14/04/2011 |
€ 371.17 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Launch of Census 10/3/2011 |
€ 357.25 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Newly appointed Ministers 15/03/2011 |
€ 478.25 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Visit of Jesse Jackson 21/03/2011 |
€ 409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Book of Condolence - Japan 22/03/2011 |
€ 401.42 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
US Ambassador Dan Rooney 28/03/2011 |
€ 401.42 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Jpegs 1916 Commemoration 04/04/2011 |
€ 60.50 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Mass New Dail 09/03/2011 |
€ 508.50 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach Office Photo Call 09/03/2011 |
€ 538.75 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Reception New Ministers 09/03/2011 |
€ 391.13 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
New Cabinet Meeting 10/03/2011 |
€ 492.17 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
New Ministers Appointments 09/03/2011 |
€ 780.75 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Dr. Garret Fitzgerald's Funeral 21-22 May 2011 |
€ 2,359.50 |
|
My Photobook.ie |
27 May 2011 Photographic prints |
€ 140.80 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
President Obama Visit 23 May 2011 |
€ 4,537.50 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach Enda Kenny & Church Leaders on 19 May 2011 at Government Buildings |
€ 409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
British PM Visit to Gov. Buildings on 18 May 2011. |
€ 629.50 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
US Congressman on 16 May 2011. assignment covering attendance, taking colour, processing, digital contact sheet. |
€ 280.42 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Hungarian Prime Minister 01-06-11 |
€ 409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Excellence Awards 09/06/2011 |
€ 857.59 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
North South Ministerial Council 10-6-11 |
€ 812.21 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
President of European Council 17/6/11 |
€ 562.04 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
President Obama Visit 23 May 2011 |
€ 260.15 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
President Obama and Cabinet Ministers 23 May 2011 |
€ 740.52 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
New Ambassadors 30-6-11 |
€ 332.75 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Chinese Delegation |
€ 357.25 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Saudi Minister 14 June 2011 |
€ 280.42 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Richard Haass meets Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 01/04/2011 |
€ 371.17 |
|
LK Photo |
Costs relating to St. Patrick's Day Visit to Washington 2011 |
€ 2,106.14 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
New Sec Gen and Ian Paisley on 26/07/2011. |
€ 318.84 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Meeting EU Parliament President 12 July 2011. |
€ 696.05 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Strategy for International Services Industry 14-7-2011 |
€ 349.08 |
|
Hackett's Reprographics |
7x5 Digital Prints |
€ 30.76 |
|
J. Higgins Photos |
Photos Taoiseach 4/5 May 2011 visit to New York |
€ 303.30 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Arvato meeting with Taoiseach 21 Sept 2011. |
€ 560.84 |
|
BANK OF IRELAND |
19 November 2011 - www.gettyimages.com |
€ 212.96 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photocall Taoiseach & New SDLP Leader 09/11/2011. |
€ 340.92 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Presidential Inauguration on 11/11/2011. |
€ 3,956.70 |
2012
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach signs Book of condolence 20 Dec 2011. |
€ 371.17 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach - Christmas Media Meeting 22 Dec 2011. |
€ 296.75 |
|
The Press Association |
12 January 2012 - Photos of Prime Minister David Cameron with Taoiseach Enda Kenny 10 Downing Street. |
€ 122.01 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
British Irish Council 13/01/12 |
€ 531.05 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach meeting with Deputy PM Nick Clegg |
€ 377.30 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Blue Star Programmes on 07/02/2012. |
€ 539.36 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
EU Presidency Job winning logo on 02/02/2012. |
€ 687.26 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach & Tánaiste attend 'Progress to date' launch 07/03/2012. |
€ 195.57 |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
Launch of the Stability Treaty Website, 19 April 2012. |
€ 409.63 |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
Olympic Torch Photocall at Govt Buildings on 06/06/2012. |
€ 268.45 |
|
QiLai |
Photographer for Taoiseach's visit to China 25/28 March 2012 |
2,817.49 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Carers Strategy Launch in the Italian Room on 19th July 2012. |
€ 439.11 |
|
LK Photos |
Taoiseach's visit to US 19-21 March 2012. |
€ 1,774.78 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
NSMC in Farmleigh on 15/06/2012 |
€ 174.24 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
National Day of Commemoration 08/07/2012 |
€ 555.75 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
Olympic Reception at Farmleigh 15/08/2012 - CD of photographs |
€ 330.16 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
Official Photography services for visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012. |
€ 87.66 |
|
Michael Hudson Photos |
Taoiseach's Visit to Chicago, 17 March 2012 |
€ 302.35 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
18hrs of photography over 4 days for the JPEGs for Who's Who on the Irish Presidency Website |
€ 3,168.51 |
2013
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
EU Conference of Presidents, Dublin Castle on 31 December 2012 |
€ 116.85 |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
Presidency meeting of European Parliament Leaders, Dublin Castle 29th Nov 2012 |
€ 430.51 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography Prints for Convention Inaugural Meeting on 1st Dec 2012. |
€ 1,763.46 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Family photo shot, post production touch up + prints (36 copies) for the EU Directors General Informal meeting (13-14/1/2013) |
€ 512.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
2 JPEG images of the Taoiseach/Cyprus President Nov 2005 - 28 Jan 2013. |
€ 34.44 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
Eucharistic Congress Reception Dublin Castle 1st July 2012 |
€ 171.01 |
|
Lafayette Photography Ltd |
Visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012, 18 images sent to media |
€ 19.43 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Photocall for 40 years in the EU, Art Exhibition, 25 February 2013. |
€ 318.54 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle, 18/01/13 |
€ 1,471.99 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy visit, Dublin Castle, 9/1/2013 |
€ 1,645.47 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, session 2, Dublin Castle, 17/1/2013 |
€ 1,449.89 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal EU Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle 21/01/13. |
€ 1,564.62 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal meeting of Employment 8th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle. |
€ 817.91 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal meeting of Employment 7th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle. |
€ 1,573.31 |
|
Levon Biss Photography Ltd |
Prints of magazine cover 26/11/2012 |
€ 111.95 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
31st Dec 2012 for EU Flag Raising Ceremony attended by Taoiseach at Dublin Castle. |
€ 669.09 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Visit of Presidents Barroso & Schulz at Government Buildings on 28/2/2013. - Post Production Fee |
€ 257.43 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal meeting of Defence Ministers 13/2/2013, Dublin Castle. |
€ 817.91 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal meeting of Development & Co-operation Ministers 12/2/2013, Dublin Castle. |
€ 1,559.45 |
|
M M McNally Photographer |
Taoiseach's visit to Downing Street on 11 March 2013. |
€ 335.03 |
|
E Hill Photography |
Taoiseach's visit to Enniskillen, 11 November 2012. |
€ 700.60 |
|
Peter Cavanagh Photography |
Who's Who for Presidency. 27/28 Sept. 2012 & 16 Oct 2012. |
€ 1,600.00 |
|
Magnum Computers |
Photos of Taoiseach's visit to Cleveland, Ohio. October 2012. |
€ 192.41 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Gymnich meeting - 23rd March 2013. |
€ 484.58 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers at Dublin Castle 24 April, 2013 |
€ 1,181.62 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle 23 April, 2013 |
€ 1,307.04 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle on 22nd April 2013 |
€ 821.57 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Ministers for Trade at Dublin Castle 18 April, 2013 |
€ 1,535.67 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Hunger-Nutrition Conference at Dublin Castle 15 April, 2013 |
€ 968.41 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
ECOFIN Ministerial Informal meeting on 13/4/2013 |
€ 1,870.49 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministerial Informal 12 April 2013. |
€ 4,126.55 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Hunger-Nutrition & Climate Change at Dublin Castle on 16th April 2013. |
€ 817.91 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Commission College meeting Dublin Castle on 10 Jan 2013 - Prints & Digital Imaging |
€ 2,042.61 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 4th March, Dublin Castle attendance |
€ 276.75 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
EU Presidency Team Group Shot on 01 May 2013. |
€ 302.58 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 5th March 2013- Dublin Castle. |
€ 1,134.33 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Gymich meeting 22 March 2013, Photography &Hi Res imaging |
€ 1,570.00 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Ministerial Informal, Agriculture Ministers on 27th & 28th May 2013 |
€ 2,453.74 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Ministerial Informal - Competitiveness [Dept. DJEI] 2 May 2013 |
€ 817.91 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Informal meeting of Competitiveness - Council day on 03 May 2013. |
€ 1,134.34 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Family photos of Presidency team at Government Buildings on 01 May 2013. |
€ 31.38 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Presidency Liaison Officers Photos at Dublin Castle on 27 May 2013. |
€ 162.01 |
|
Marty Katz & James Higgins |
St Patrick's Day Visit, New York - 16-17 March 2013 |
€ 2,235.66 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
North South Ministerial Meeting on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle Sundays F.T.P. images to Media outlets |
€ 706.02 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
EU Presidency staff event on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle - Upload of images to online gallery |
€ 292.74 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Round table discussion with the Taoiseach and on Online Retailers on 06 Sept 2013. |
€ 292.74 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Taoiseach's meeting with Bill Clinton at Government Buildings - 09/10/2013 |
€ 249.69 |
2014
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Prints of the Queen & President Obama's visits, May 2011 |
€77.18 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography assignment, Taoiseach's Address of the Nation, 15th December 2014 |
€956.94 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography Services for the Convention on the Constitution final plenary meeting 22-23 February 2014 |
€511.68 |
|
DNP Service |
Taoiseach's visit to Japan, 3-4 December 2013. |
€244.23 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography assignment for the visit of the Spanish PM on the 6th March 2014 |
€519.06 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography assignment for the visit of the German Prime Minister on the 7th March 2014 |
€396.06 |
|
Maria Photography |
Taoiseach's visit to Abu Dhabi & Dubai, January 2014. |
€2695.8 |
|
Dan Hallissey Photography |
Taoiseach's visit to Boston, 16 March 2014. |
€506.77 |
|
Marty Katz Photography |
Photography for Taoiseach Enda Kenny & delegation's trip to Washington DC on 13 & 14 March 2014 |
€1740.64 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Official Photography at State Funeral of Albert Reynolds Aug 2014 at Mansion House and Donnybrook Church |
€2841.3 |
|
James Higgins Photography |
Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to New York on 17 March 2014. |
€252.71 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Passport photos 04 Sep 2014 |
€6.00 |
|
Boots Chemist |
Photo prints for Taoiseach's office 13 July 2014 |
€2.10 |
|
Getty Images International |
EU, All About Jobs campaign, purchase of iStock photo subscription for 3 months, 7th Oct 2014 |
€207.87 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for North South Ministerial Council on 3rd Oct 2014, Dublin Castle. |
€547.35 |
|
CreativeShot Photography |
United Irish Cultural Center - San Francisco 4 June 2014. |
€753.07 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
EU - Photography of Minister Ged Nash at 2 events in Carlow 26th November 2014 |
€491.14 |
2015
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
EU - 10 Low Resolution images from Minister Ged Nash events in Carlow 26 November 2014 |
€124.85 |
|
Getty Images International |
EU 'All About Jobs campaign' purchase of monthly iStock photo subscription for January 2015 |
€207.87 |
|
Department of Foreign Affairs |
Photographs of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny attending Youth Reception - Irish Consulate New York September 2014 |
€198.68 |
|
Mr John Kingman |
Photography for Taoiseach's visit to New York, 22-24 September 2014. |
€317.89 |
|
Getty Images International |
All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, 25 Feb 2015 |
€1,966.77 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Dowlings Pharmacy - Passport photos 26 Feb 2015 |
€6.00 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015 |
€160.00 |
|
Mac Innes Photography Ltd |
Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015 |
€181.50 |
|
Marty Katz Photographer |
St. Patrick's Day 2015. Taoiseach's visit to Washington, DC, USA. 16-17 March 2015. |
€2,459.34 |
|
Allison Shirref Photographer |
Taoiseach's visit to Atlanta, USA, 13 & 14 March 2015. |
€1,112.10 |
|
Lensmen & Associates |
Minister J. Deenihan TD photoshoot with Sonia O'Sullivan on 30 April 2015 at Government Buildings |
€553.50 |
|
Conor McKeown Photographer |
Photographer for US Ambassador's visit to Castlebar - April 2015 |
€120.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography costs for Data Protection Event on 2 July 2015 |
€447.72 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography Assignment for State Funeral of Thomas Kent - 18 September 2015 |
€1,475.80 |
|
Fotogioberti Studio |
Taoiseach's photos with PM Renzi, 10 July 2015. |
€488.00 |
2016
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Supply of Jpeg Images of Ceann Comhairle with Queen, taking during her visit to Ireland in 2011 - January 2016 |
€17.22 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for Flag-Raising Ceremony, 1 January 2016 |
€120.52 |
|
Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd |
Photos from National Library for Press Office |
€28.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for Flag-Raising Ceremony, 1 January 2016 |
€524.00 |
|
Getty Images International |
All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, from February 2016 to February 2017 |
€1966.77 |
|
M. McNally Photographer |
Taoiseach's visit to London, U.K. 9 November 2015. |
€278.47 |
|
AM Photography |
9 September 2015. Taoiseach's visit to Paris, France. |
€250.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for Commemoration Ceremony and Parade and Kilmainham Gaol Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Easter Sunday 27 March 2016 |
€2520.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for Commemoration Ceremony and Parade and Kilmainham Gaol Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Easter Sunday 27 March 2016 |
€579.60 |
|
Irish Gallery of Photography Ltd |
Photograph presentation for State Reception Dublin Castle 27th March 2016 |
€4674.00 |
|
Lensmen & Assoc |
Photography at Interfaith Ceremony and Unveiling of Remembrance Wall, Glasnevin Cemetery, Sunday 3 April 2016 (1916 Centenary event) |
€430.50 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photographs of new Cabinet at first meeting in Cabinet room, Government Buildings, 11 May 2016, and syndication toprint and online media outlets |
€873.76 |
|
British Irish Council |
Official Photo of the British Irish Council Summit Dublin 2015 |
€782.04 |
|
MacInnes Photography Ltd |
Photography services for Somme Centenary Commemoration Ceremony 9 July 2016 |
€1554.72 |
|
MacInnes Photography Ltd |
Photography services for National Day of Commemorations, 10 July 2016 |
€1554.72 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
Photography for Visit of VP Biden, 21-26 June 2016 |
€3047.94 |
|
Marty Katz Photographer |
Taoiseach's visit to Washington DC, USA, 14-15 March 2016. St. Patrick's Day Visit. |
€1405.36 |
|
Marty Katz Photography |
Taoiseach's visit to Washington DC. USA. 17-18 May 2016. Ireland 100 at Kennedy Centre. |
€1703.42 |
2017
|
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd |
Photography services for visit of UK PM Theresa May, including supply of images and distribution to media. |
€695.25 |
|
K. Ziegler |
Photography services for the Taoiseach’s visit to Rome, November 2016 |
€357.00 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Passport photos |
€12.00 |
|
Dowlings Pharmacy |
Visa photos |
€12.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services for the Department of the Taoiseach |
€571.95 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services: Ministers receiving their seals of office |
€438.52 |
|
Donal Moloney |
Photography for "Finite Lives" report |
€5,675.00 |
|
Marty Katz Photography |
Photography services for Taoiseach, Washington DC, St. Patrick’s Day events. |
€2,354.24 |
|
Tom Sandler Photography |
Photography services for Taoiseach visit to Toronto, Canada Trade Mission |
€594.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
Photography services, appointment of ADC |
€258.30 |
93. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; and the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups. [54493/17]
View answerThe following table provides details of public relations companies engaged by my Department from March 2011 to date.
|
Year |
Company |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
2012 & 2013 |
Caroline Erskine, Media and Public Affairs Consultant |
To assist in the implementation of the communications plan for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Associated Projects |
€56,383.20 |
|
2013 & 2014 |
Q4 Public Relations |
Support for the Convention on the Constitution |
€26,909.24 |
|
2017 |
Q4 Public Relations |
PR and Communications services for the Data Summit, June 2017 |
€30,750 |
My Department ensures that it gets best value for money in the procurement of all goods and services and keeps to a minimum the engagement of public relations firms. In the cases set out above, the use of external public relations firms was limited to work carried out for Ireland's EU Presidency in 2013, supporting the Constitutional Convention and in relation to the Data Summit held in Dublin in 2017.
95. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the vacant properties and land not in use, owned, rented or leased by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department by square footage for buildings and acres for land, in tabular form; the address and location of these properties; and the last date of occupancy or use of these properties. [55219/17]
View answerThe properties occupied by my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office are provided and managed by the Office of Public Works. No property or land is owned, rented or leased by my Department or bodies under the aegis of my Department.
96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the external group to be appointed to oversee reform of the Department of Justice and Equality. [1465/18]
View answer97. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the estimated timeframe to receive the report on the emails that were not sent to the Charleton tribunal from a person (details supplied). [1466/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
Following consultation with the Attorney General, I appointed Mr. Michael Collins, Senior Counsel, to conduct an independent review of the practices and procedures employed by the Department of Justice and Equality in response to requests for documents from the Disclosures Tribunal. The Terms of Reference for the review were published on my Department's website on 13 December 2017. The review will involve a thorough examination of the actions taken by the Department in responding to such requests, relevant documents and records, the processes used within the Department, and communication to and from senior management and the Minister. The review will set out the facts as found, together with such observations or comments as are considered necessary. It may also advise on what further measures, if any, might be taken to address any concerns arising from the review.
Mr. Collins has been asked to use his best endeavours to report to me on or before 19 January 2018, or at the earliest possible date thereafter.
Work is currently underway to finalise arrangements for an independent and change implementation group to be established to:
a) assess progress in implementing the recommendations of the Toland Report;
b) review the culture of the Department, make recommendations for change, particularly in the light of evidence of a continued siloed and secretive culture and a failure to provide accurate information to me and the Oireachtas;
c) examine in particular, the relationship between the Department and the Gardaí, to ensure that the relationship is appropriately structured, is understood in both organisations and operates in such a way as to ensure accountability and better performance across the broader justice landscape;
d) draw on the expertise of the Policing Authority in conducting its work where appropriate;
e) provide continued external oversight of the implementation of the Toland Report and report to the Oireachtas on the implementation of these recommendations.
I expect that details regarding this matter will be announced by the Government shortly.
98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of departmental campaigns the strategic communications unit is managing; and the budgets for same. [1467/18]
View answer99. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit is preparing a campaign for the launch of the national development plan; if there have been meetings to discuss same; and the estimated cost of this campaign. [1468/18]
View answer100. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the savings planned in 2018 from the creation of the strategic communications unit; and the number of posts that will be redeployed in each Department. [1469/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 100, inclusive, together.
To date the Cabinet has approved the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) in my Department to work on the following campaigns in the coming months: The 10 Year Capital Plan, Brexit, National Children's Hospital, Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Rebuilding Ireland, Global Ireland and Rural Ireland. Further campaigns will be added to this list in due course.
The overall budget for the Unit for 2108 is €5 million, it is not possible at this stage to give a specific figure for spend on each individual campaign. The SCU is meeting with communications colleagues across departments to plan and develop a campaign for the national development plan so that citizens can be informed of its programme of integrated investments - economic, social, infrastuctural and environmental that will impact on their lives in the coming years.
It is intended that the Unit will drive savings across all Departments over time through efficiencies generated by:
- cross-Governmental collaboration on major campaigns,
- more efficient use of technology platforms,
- consolidated media buying,
- efficient third-party contract management,
- rationalising design projects,
- streamlining participation in national events,
- increased communication capacity within Departments.
101. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if Cabinet committee E on health has met recently. [1470/18]
View answerCabinet Committee E (Health) last met on 23 November 2017.
102. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Taoiseach the projects undertaken to consolidate or amalgamate existing legislation, including the cost, the duration, the number of staff required and if this process was carried out by his Department or outsourced in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [1572/18]
View answerThere has been no project to consolidate or amalgamate existing legislation undertaken by the Department of the Taoiseach from 2007 to date.
103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the costs incurred by the Citizens' Assembly; and the remuneration levels of paid members. [1751/18]
View answerThe total costs incurred by the Citizens' Assembly to end 2017 is €1,809,454.
|
Year |
Costs Incurred € |
|
2016 |
274,321 |
|
2017 |
1,535,133 |
Members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings, including travel costs and a contribution towards childcare. Payment is not made for attendance or any missed days of work either to members or their employees.
104. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Taoiseach the proportion of employees in his Department or in organisations under its remit registered disabled. [1864/18]
View answerAs at 31 December 2016, 4.08% of the staff of my Department and 5.5% of the staff of the NESDO voluntarily and confidentially disclosed a disability. This exceeds the minimum requirement of 3% for public sector organisations set down in the Disability Act, 2005.
Returns for 2017 on the proportion of employees in my Department and in organisations under its remit who disclose a disability are required under the Disability Act to be reported to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by 31 March and to the National Disability Authority (NDA) by 30 June this year.
Recruitment to my Department is, in the main, undertaken through the Public Appointments Service.
My Department is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. Staff are recruited on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill. In addition to complying with the provisions of the Disability Act, 2005, we follow the guidelines set out in the Commission for Public Service Appointments' codes of practice for appointments to positions in the Civil Service and Public Service.
105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department uses anti-profanity software on its email systems and online contact forms; if so, the level of human oversight that is applied to the monitoring of this software and its effectiveness; and his views on whether persons' legitimate right to petition Government may be blocked unintentionally by errors in the use of such software in determining that which qualifies as profanity being communicated in email or online contact forms. [2093/18]
View answerAll electronic interaction with my Department is through email. There are no online contact forms on my Department's website. An electronic mail filtering product has been programmed to implement my Department's email usage policy. This policy has a number of rules, including one on profanity. The policy is based on a central 'Profanity Dictionary' which my Department's HR Unit approved to provide protection to Departmental staff from abuse. Messages that fall under this rule are placed in a quarantine area. The quarantine is checked daily by staff in my Department's IT Unit and blocked emails are released when appropriate.
