Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
26. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 including costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; and if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department. [32272/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information on photography costs for my Department for the period from March 2011 to date, is set out in tabular form below. These tables include the cost, the name of the photographer and the occasions involved.
Photographers are engaged for official purposes only. Local photographers are used on international visits, trade missions etc., to maximise cost efficiencies. Photography costs in my Department have reduced significantly in recent years. The 2018 expenditure of €10,052 represents a reduction of more than 85% when compared with expenditure of €83,398 in 2008.
Increasingly my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house, thereby reducing costs.
