Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023

Thursday, 29 June 2023

Questions (459)

Denis Naughten

Question:

459. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total advertising budget allocated by his Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if he has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32009/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was formed in August 2020.

Please see table 1.1 below which outlines the amount spent by my Department on advertising in each year since its formation.

Table 1.1 - spend on advertising 2021-year to date 2023

2021	2022	2023 Year to date
€102,369	€129,774	€47,730

In those years, my Department has not provided funding directly to RTÉ. However, RTÉ has received €37,563 indirectly from my Department in the form of advertising space procured through a media buying agency as outlined in table 1.2 below:

Table 1.2 - spend to RTÉ through media buying agency

2021	2022	2023 Year to date
€11,244	€12,947	€13,372

The information in respect of state bodies is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireacthas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	[e-mail]	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.