Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39640/18]
View answerMy Department has not incurred expenditure on third party public relations or communications advice in 2018.
My Department engages in online advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. In 2018 these have taken place to raise awareness of the Online Passport Renewals Service, a ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ initiative and Ireland’s bid for membership of the UN Security Council in 2021-22. A recently-announced public information campaign to promote awareness of Government-wide supports and resources that are available to assist with Brexit preparedness is also being coordinated by my Department. Details of each of these campaigns are as follows:
Online Passport Renewals Service
My Department makes every effort to promote good practices by Irish citizens who may be planning to travel abroad. So far in 2018 we have concentrated on highlighting the Online Passport Renewal Service as a fast and secure way for adults to renew their passports. Specific activities have included advertisements in local publications throughout the country and on social media platforms, press releases and attendance at relevant promotional events, as well as participation by the Director of the Passport Service in over 25 interviews on regional radio stations. The direct costs of advertising to raise public awareness in this regard are set out in Table 1 below.
Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe
Against the background of debate which is underway at EU level and beyond about how best to address the challenges of a rapidly changing the world, and in cooperation with European Movement Ireland, my Department hosted a series of ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ events throughout spring 2018. These events took place in Galway, Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Meath and Dublin and enabled citizens to share ideas and priorities on the future of Europe and on such themes as the economy, security, social responsibility and globalisation.
To raise awareness of these opportunities for the citizens to engage and attend these events, my Department undertook a communications campaign that included advertisements in local papers and on local radio in each of the locations concerned. The direct costs of this advertising are set out in Table 1 below.
Ireland’s Campaign for Election to the UN Security Council
On July 2nd 2018, the Taoiseach and I publicly launched Ireland’s campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s campaign is premised on three themes: Empathy, Partnership and Independence. To coincide with this launch, my Department used social media platforms to promote public awareness of Ireland’s campaign online and the direct costs incurred in this regard are set out in the table.
The Government Brexit Update and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’
The Government Brexit Update email service and the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign forms part of the Government’s overall strategy to keep the Irish public fully informed and up-to date on the implications and challenges of Brexit.
The Update is issuing on a regular basis via a commercial provider (MailChimp) and provides information on latest developments in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, on the latest available research publications and on engagement at Government level. It also highlights the range of business supports that are available through the various Government Departments and State agencies.
My Department is also coordinating a Government-wide ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Campaign’ which I and Ministers Humphreys and Creed launched together on 20 September. This campaign will update citizens, communities and businesses about Brexit preparedness and support measures that are available as well as public workshop events which are to be held over successive weeks throughout October. A programme of awareness raising via web and social media platforms and radio and print media advertising has begun but remains at an early stage and associated costs have yet to be incurred.
Table: Online Advertising and Public Awareness Campaigns Expenditure 2018
[Note: In the time available it has not proved possible to break down these amounts on a monthly basis.]
|
Campaign / Theme |
Supplier |
Cost |
|
Online Passport Renewals (March 2018-June 2018) |
Mediavest |
€40,538.65 |
|
Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe - (Feb - May 2018) |
Topic Media, Celtic, Media, Highland Radio, Connacht Tribune, River Media, Irish Examiner, LMFM Radio & Galway Advertiser |
€6,473 |
|
UN Security Council Campaign July 2018 |
Twitter and Facebook |
€461 |
|
Government Brexit Update (Jan 2018 – to date) |
Twitter and MailChimp |
€1,211.00 |
|
Getting Ireland Brexit Ready (20 Sept 2018 – to date) |
PhD Media / TBWA |
Invoices awaited |
