My Department generally does not employ external public relations firms and did not employ any external public relations firms in the year 2016. Public relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press Office.
In April of 2017, the services of "All Good Tales", a public relations company, were used to provide training for staff members for the National Animal Surveillance Programme. The cost of this training was €5,965.
The information requested by the Deputy with regard to photography is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts. This information is regularly updated by my Department. Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
In relation to the State Bodies under the aegis of this Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. In accordance with the new procedures effective since September 2016, as notified by the Clerk of the Dáil, my Department has provided contact details for all of our agencies. Details of dedicated email addresses for State Bodies are available for Oireachtas members through the Clerk of Dáil Éireann.