Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017

Thursday, 14 December 2017

Ceisteanna (633, 638)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

633. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total photography costs per annum for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, in tabular form; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer 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. [54099/17]

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

638. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54235/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 638 together.

Details of photography costs paid from the Department's voted funds are published on the Department's website: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/photography-costs.

These costs are updated and published on a 6 monthly basis, and details for July to December 2017 will therefore be published very shortly.

It is the policy of the Department that photography costs are kept to a minimum and services are provided in-house by staff.  Where services are contracted, best value is sought and a number of quotes are obtained. Services are contracted out on an exceptional basis only.