Skip to main content
Normal View

Strategic Communications Unit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2018

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Questions (108, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 147, 151)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit in his Department has hired or purchased external public relations services, graphic design, consultancy companies and or online digital strategy companies since the unit was formed; and the expenditure on those services by amount spent and company engaged in tabular form. [11361/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

137. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the cost of the tender for research by a company (details supplied); the persons involved in drawing up the terms of the research; the dates it was undertaken; when it was completed; and when it was sent to his Department. [12057/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the plans the strategic communications unit has to integrate creative and digital campaign services; and the person who finalised the terms of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied). [12058/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the background to awarding the contract to a company (details supplied) for the provision of media strategy planning and buying services; and the person who will oversee the terms. [12059/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

140. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the provision of marketing pitch specialist services; and the length of this contract. [12060/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the development of an identity system for roll-out to all Departments. [12061/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the provision of digital services and a company (details supplied). [12062/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

147. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the contracts with companies (details supplied); the date the tender was advertised; the date the tender closed; the number of companies bidding; and the value of each contract awarded. [13022/18]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

151. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the status of successful tenders (details supplied) that the Office of Government Procurement ran on behalf of his Department; the amount agreed for each successful tender to carry out the provision for services; when each provision of service will be completed; and the date for publication. [12747/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 137 to 142, inclusive, 147 and 151 together.

Six tenders for specialist advice have been awarded by my Department as follows:

Service

Company

Date Tender advertised

Date Tender closed

Number of bids

Length of contract

Provision of research and insight

Behaviour and Attitudes

19/09/2017

04/10/2017

6

Initial 6 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable

Provision of digital creative services

Radical (now trading as Core)

26/09/2017

20/10/2017

4

Initial 24 month with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable

Provision of integrated creative and digital campaign services

TBWA

26/09/2017

20/10/2017

3

Initial 24 months with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable

Provision of media strategy planning and buying services

PHD

04/10/2017

03/11/2017

5

Initial 12 months with 3 x 12 months extensions allowable

Development of Government identity system for roll out across Government Departments

Zero-G

27/11/2017

1/12/2017

3

Open

Provision of marketing pitch specialist service

Agency Assessments

28/09/2017

13/10/2017

3

Initial 12 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable

Procurement for five of these contracts was overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). In line with public procurement, one tender, in respect of identity, was managed by my Department as the estimated cost for services was under the €25,000 threshold.

Contracts were entered into with these companies to facilitate the delivery of the work programme of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), particularly in relation to cross Government informational campaigns.

A contract management process is in place within my Department to oversee all contracts.

The value of the contracts for Radical (Core), PHD Media, TBWA and Agency Assessments was set at a level to allow initial work to be carried out by the successful supplier in each case. The contracts put in place are term contracts. This allows for further work to be carried out by the successful supplier during that term period so the final contract value will be in excess of the original stated value if further work ensues. The contracts put in place do not guarantee any volume of business or exclusivity to the successful supplier.

A research tender with estimated costs of up to €130,000 ex Vat was published on September 18th 2017 to commission an initial report of Government and its services, and a rolling tracker of attitudes. After an open procurement process, overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) the tender was awarded to Behaviour and Attitudes. The research is comprised of an initial survey to determine citizens' view of the role of Government and the areas Government is responsible for in fulfilling its role and, a series of follow-on tracker surveys. The questionnaire which is being used in the research is in the process of being finalised and reviewed and no fieldwork has commenced. Therefore, no findings (preliminary or otherwise) are available. The results and findings of the project, along with relevant collateral such as the questionnaire, will be published once available. This is expected to be during Quarter 2, 2018.

In relation to the contract awarded to a marketing pitch specialist, this contractor provided advice and assistance regarding the appointment of communication agency partners and assists with the appointment of the most suitable agencies for communications tasks. The contract is of a year's duration, commencing in October 2017 with the option of a 12 month extension at the discretion of the Department.

Questions Nos. 109 and 110 answered with Question No. 74.
Top
Share