Vol. 540 No. 3
224 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total amount paid to consultancy or public relations firms in the past 12 months in respect of the promotion of the work of the Minister or his office; the number of persons engaged in public relations or consultancy work on a full-time and part-time basis in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20859/01]
My Department's press and information office has a staff of 4½ people. The ½ refers to one job-sharer. Two further temporary civil servants provide communications co-ordination and press advisory services for my office and that of Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, respectively. The overriding focus of the work of these staff is on public information and dealing with the media and any public relations benefit which accrues to my Department derives from these activities. No payments to consultancy or public relations firms have arisen under these arrangements.
The Department does not engage any firms to carry out public relations functions. A number of firms are employed from time to time to promote awareness of important issues relating to my Department's functions and to fulfil publicity and information requirements under Cohesion Fund regulations.
