Strategic Communications Unit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Ceisteanna (98, 99, 100)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of departmental campaigns the strategic communications unit is managing; and the budgets for same. [1467/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

99. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the strategic communications unit is preparing a campaign for the launch of the national development plan; if there have been meetings to discuss same; and the estimated cost of this campaign. [1468/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

100. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the savings planned in 2018 from the creation of the strategic communications unit; and the number of posts that will be redeployed in each Department. [1469/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 100, inclusive, together.

To date the Cabinet has approved the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) in my Department to work on the following campaigns in the coming months: The 10 Year Capital Plan, Brexit, National Children's Hospital, Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Rebuilding Ireland, Global Ireland and Rural Ireland. Further campaigns will be added to this list in due course.

The overall budget for the Unit for 2108 is €5 million, it is not possible at this stage to give a specific figure for spend on each individual campaign. The SCU is meeting with communications colleagues across departments to plan and develop a campaign for the national development plan so that citizens can be informed of its programme of integrated investments - economic, social, infrastuctural and environmental that will impact on their lives in the coming years.

It is intended that the Unit will drive savings across all Departments over time 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,

- increased communication capacity within Departments.