There are two people working in a public relations or similar capacity in my Department. Their details are as follows:
CSF Information Unit
1. Names and titles: Alva Ó Cleirigh, CSF information officer.
2. Reporting arrangements: The CSF information officer reports to the CSF technical assistance OP monitoring committee, comprising representatives of the Department of Finance, the European Commission, the CSF information and evaluation units and regional authorities.
3. Function: The CSF information officer is responsible for promoting awareness in Ireland of Structural and Cohesion Fund operations among the public and potential beneficiaries and for ensuring compliance by implementing agencies with EU publicity and information requirements.
4. Terms of employment: The post of CSF information officer is a contract post renewable annually. A salary range of up to £28,200 applies to the post.
5. Subhead details: Remuneration is under Subhead L of Vote 6, Office of the Minister for Finance.
6. Operating instructions: The CSF information officer's work programme is approved by the Community Support Framework (CSF) Technical Assistance Monitoring Committee.
7. Other agencies involved: None.
8. Back up facilities: There are three executive and clerical support staff on secondment from the Department of Finance to provide administrative support to the CSF information officer. The support staff are also shared by the CSF evaluation unit.
Press Office
1. Name and Title: Amanda Johnson, press information officer.
2. Reporting arrangements: The press and information officer reports directly to the Minister for Finance.
3. Function: To provide a press service for the media in relation to the Minister and the Department of Finance and to carry out other duties as may be assigned.