Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

311 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people employed in his Department's press office; the estimated annual budget of the office; the estimated cost of public relations consultancy engaged by his Department, showing the figures for 1998-2000; and the estimated costs for 2001. [15897/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The press office of my Department is staffed by three full-time civil servants under the supervision of a manager who also is assigned to other duties. The budget for the office for 2001 which primarily relates to staffing costs is approximately £149,000.

No expenditure was incurred by my Depart ment on public relations consultancy during the years 1998 to 2000, inclusive, and none is envisaged for 2001.