Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
523. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39982/22]
View answerI have been advised that the total spend on external assistance with Departmental public relations in the past ten years and to date in 2022 is €155,499.39.
As the Deputy will be aware my Department in its current configuration was formed in June 2020, following the formation of the Government. The Deputy will be further aware that the range of responsibilities coming within the remit of the Department were subject to change during the period covered by his question.
The purpose of these contracts covered a range of activities, including campaigns for Irish language employment opportunities in the European institutions, Irish language career opportunities, Culture Ireland’s communication strategy for its GB 18 programme and the National Archives The Treaty 1921 exhibition.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. There was no spend between 2012 and 2015. The figures provided below concern the current sectors in the Department, and not any past sectors which have transferred out of the Department. Please note the below expenditure is inclusive of VAT.
At all times value for money is a critical consideration.
|
Year |
Agency/consultant/company name and cost of service |
|
2022 |
The Communications Clinic - €14,290.56 |
|
2021 |
The Communications Clinic - €27,448.83 |
|
2020 |
*D’Arcy Marketing was engaged in 2018, paid €17,466 in 2020. |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2018 |
*D’Arcy Marketing & PR Nicholas Quaife - €51,400 BigO - €6,125 |
|
2017 |
Careers Portal - €16,101 Nicholas Quaife - €2,988 |
|
2016 |
Q4PR - €19,680 |
|
Total |
€155,499.39 |
