Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
91. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the role his Department is playing in the winter ready campaign; the expenditure his Department will incur in this campaign; and the details of expenditure on external consultancy and advertising or communication. [46626/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2011 the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning launched the “Be Winter-Ready” information campaign to give the public advice on how to prepare in the future for severe weather events. Since then, the Government Task Force (GTF) on Emergency Planning, which I chair, and the Office of Emergency Planning in my Department have coordinated this annual whole of Government information campaign with the support of all Government Departments and Agencies.
The Be Winter-Ready booklets, annual leaflets and website provides information on how to prepare for winter and provides practical advice for coping during episodes of severe weather, with advice and contact details of organisations and agencies that can provide further guidance and assistance.
Each year the campaign has focused on a particular theme. This year the campaign is promoting awareness of the Met Éireann Severe Weather Warning Systems with an associated leaflet on their colour coded warnings that further explains how these are used.
The Office of Emergency Planning in my Department chairs the GTF Subgroup on Winter Preparedness, which meets regularly throughout the year to plan for and review each “Be Winter Ready” campaign. The OEP also has an annual presence at the National Ploughing Championships, which offers an opportunity to further promote the campaign ahead of the official launch by myself and other Ministers in early November each year. The OEP and the GTF review the effectiveness of each campaign annually and plan for the theme and context for the next launch.
The “Be Winter-Ready” annual campaigns have been incorporated into an overall whole of Government approach to winter preparedness across all Government Departments and the wider public service. In the context of expenditure, the costs of the campaign have been kept to a minimum and other Departments are working together and utilizing existing promotional mechanisms and budgets to present their contributions. The OEP and GTF prepares the overall theme each year in collaboration with a lead department and this expenditure is funded from within the OEP Subhead of my Department. While not all expenditure has been finalised, the total estimated cost of the 2019-20 campaign is outlined below and will be approximately €60,500. There has been no expenditure on external consultancy.
Estimated Be Winter-Ready Information Campaign Costs to date:
|
Advertising and Promotional Costs: |
€ |
|
Promotional material with the Be Winter Ready logo |
€4,500 |
|
Stand at the National Ploughing Championships |
€2,700 |
|
Radio Advertisements |
€30,000 |
|
Two page ‘Be Winter Ready’ article in the Irish Independent |
€8,000 |
|
‘Be Winter Ready’ leaflet drop feature in the Irish Independent |
€14,000 |
|
Communications Costs: |
|
|
Irish translation of winter ready leaflets, Ministers speeches and Q&As etc., |
€1,000 |
|
Sign Language Interpreter for launch |
€300 |
|
Total Costs (estimated): |
€60,500 |
