Ceist:
40 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the cost, direct and indirect, associated with changing the name of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16509/97]
Written Answers - Department Name Change.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:109 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total amount of money spent so far in implementing the decision of the Government to change the name of his Department; the total expected cost; if he considers the expenditure justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16702/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 109 together.
I refer the Deputies to my replies to Question No. 408 on 30 September and Question No. 277 on 9 July. The additional responsibilities recently assigned to my Department include responsibility for marriage support services; family mediation services; births, marriages and deaths registration legislation, and for progressing other issues, in particular initiatives in the community for children arising from the report of the Commission on the Family. The change of name of the Department reflects these changes and the low expenditure to date is fully justified on the basis of the additional responsibilities and expanded role.