I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
Staff in the Strategic Communications Unit in my Department have had several meetings with senior officials in the relevant Departments across Government to coordinate a comprehensive public information campaign for Project Ireland 2040 - the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework. As with all cross-Government campaigns, the overall objective is to inform citizens of the programme of integrated investments - economic, social, infrastructural and environmental - that will impact on their lives in the coming years, in an easily accessible way.
The Strategic Communications Unit is not processing any tenders currently. However, contracts have been awarded to the following companies:
Provision
|
Awarded to
|
Provision of research and insight
|
Behaviour and Attitudes
|
Provision of digital creative services
|
Radical Digital
|
Provision of integrated creative and digital campaign services
|
TBWA
|
Provision of media strategy planning and buying services
|
PHD
|
Development of Government identity system for roll out across Government Departments
|
Zero-G
|
Provision of marketing pitch specialist services
|
Agency Assessments
|
Procurement for these contracts took place centrally for priority cross-government campaigns, which means that government departments can avail of a central source, rather than issuing separate tenders, which in turn improves efficiency and saves money.
These contracts were procured in accordance with standard public procurement rules through the Office of Government Procurement.