I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 to 93, inclusive, 96 and 97 together.
My Department's budget for 2018 has decreased by 2% compared to 2017. My Department does not have any budget for capital expenditure.
The focus of the new Strategic Communications Unit established in my Department will be to streamline Government communications for citizens, develop and deliver major cross-Government communication campaigns, and improve communications capacity across Government.
The Unit is staffed by existing civil and public servants. There are currently seven staff members attached to the Unit. Further staff will be recruited, including through the assignment of three media and communications assistants who were already in the process of recruitment to fill existing vacancies through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
My Department is also seeking to recruit, on secondment, additional serving civil and public servants with the relevant experience and expertise to work in the Unit.
The Unit’s budget of €5 million is a reallocation of existing resources within my Departments' budget for 2018. The vast bulk of the budget for 2018 is being earmarked for public information campaigns, which will assist in citizens being better aware of Government work and services. As part of the Unit’s streamlining of Government communications, efficiencies in communications spending across Government are expected.
Exchequer savings will be delivered by the Unit in 2018 through efficiencies generated by:
- cross-Governmental collaboration on major campaigns;
- more efficient use of technology platforms;
- consolidated media buying;
- efficient third-party contract management;
- rationalising design projects;
- streamlining participation in national events; and
- increased communication capacity within Departments.
In this way, the Strategic Communications initiative is expected to be cost-neutral in 2018.