Vol. 457 No. 8
143 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel in his Department and private firms contracted for public relations-media advice; the names and costs paid to private firms and consultants; the total cost incurred since his appointment; the total cost incurred by the Minister of State at his Department; if this expenditure went out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/95]
My Department has not entered into any contracts with individuals or private firms in respect of public relations or media advice since my appointment as Minister or since the appointment of the Minister of State attached to my Department.
Three members of staff are currently assigned to my Department's Press Office.
144 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will give a breakdown of the number of personnel in his Department and private firms contracted for public relations-media advice; the names and costs paid to private firms and consultants; the total cost incurred since his appointment; the total cost incurred by the Minister of State at his Department; if this expenditure went out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16352/95]
The number of personnel in my Department working specifically on the provision of information on departmental activities to the public including dealing with press and other inquiries is two. In addition, two private firms, Mediawise and Public Relations of Ireland Ltd., have been appointed to provide public relations-media advice. Mediawise has cost £1,500 to date and, while no moneys have as yet been paid to Public Relations of Ireland, the budgeted provision this year is £21,780.
In both cases, appointment procedures were in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance which in the case of one of the appointments required specific prior sanction from that Department.
No cost in relation to public relations-media advice has been incurred by the Minister of State.
