Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1316)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1316. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographers was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37370/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Date	Occasion	Company	Cost	Breakdown of Cost
25/3/2011	Ministerial File Portrait Package	Maxwell Photography	€393.25 (Including VAT)	Portrait Package Set up and head shot Online Viewing gallery 1 High resolution image
9/11/2011	Launch of Winter Ready Campaign	Maxwell Photography	€849.42 (Including VAT)	Booking Fee Taking and processing Digital Contact Sheet Images sent to media Email to merrionstr.ie Additional hour on assignment

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices. It is my intention that my Department will avail of this Framework Agreement for any future photography needs.

I am satisfied that the usage and costs incurred in the hiring of photographers represents value for money. I remain committed to an overall policy of reducing costs and maximising efficiencies.

Question No. 1317 answered with Question No. 1307.