I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
There is no panel for communications officers in my Department.
The Communications Office was established in 2008 headed by an Assistant Principal. The current role holder was appointed in June 2016. The Communications Unit incorporates the Press office.
The name and functions were extended to include "communications" to reflect more accurately the work of the Unit and deliver on the business needs of the Department in the context of an evolving media and communications landscape.
The Press & Communications Team is responsible for:
1 Engaging proactively with the media to ensure our work is communicated in an effective and timely manner to the public and other stakeholders;
2 Developing a strong and consistent voice and identity for the Department that supports our role in providing leadership and policy direction for the health sector;
3 Supporting a cultural shift towards more open, structured approaches to engagement.
The staffing of the office in each of years since 2015 is set out in the following table.
Year
|
Staff
|
2015
|
Principal Officer X 1 (Head of Unit with management responsibility for a number of Units including the Press and Communications Office)
The Head of Press and Communications Office (Assistant Principal Officer) post was vacant for a period of time in 2015 pending a new appointment to the post.
Higher Executive Officer X 2
Executive Officer X 3
|
2016
|
Principal Officer X 1 (Head of Unit with management responsibility for a number of Units including the Press and Communications Office)
Head of Press and Communications Office (Assistant Principal Officer) X 1
Higher Executive Officer X 2
Executive Officer X 2
Clerical Officer X 1 (on maternity leave)
Temporary Clerical Officer X 1 (covering maternity leave of the Clerical Officer)
|
2017
|
Principal Officer X 1 (Head of Unit with management responsibility for a number of Units including the Press and Communications Office)
Head of Press and Communications Office (Assistant Principal Officer) X 1
Higher Executive Officer X 2
Executive Officer X 2
Clerical Officer X 1
|
2018
|
Principal Officer X 1 (Head of Unit with management responsibility for a number of Units including the Press and Communications Office)
Head of Press and Communications Office (Assistant Principal Officer) X 1
Press Officer (Higher Executive Officer) X 2
Executive Officer X 2
Clerical Officer X 1
|