I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.
The Department of Social Protection has not engaged a third-party company to conduct online or social media monitoring or to provide reports on same and, therefore, no expenditure has been incurred.
The Department has engaged RuePoint Media to provide Print (including digital media coverage) and Broadcast media monitoring.
Having responsibility for the delivery of the State’s social welfare service, the Department uses a broad range of sources to make information available on its schemes, including the use of social media channels Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. The Department's Customer Service team respond to requests for general public information via the official Twitter account of the Department (@welfare_ie) each day from 9am to 5pm.