Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
843. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75213/25]
View answer844. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75231/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together.
Department of Finance
I wish to inform the Deputy that the Department of Finance does not engage in regular advertising and promotion of its policy work but in exceptional circumstances it makes contributions to the campaigns of other agencies or Departments.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
37,109 |
25,000 |
201,638 |
|
TBD* |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
**600,000 |
** 600,000 |
*Note: A further advertising campaign for 2026 is currently at the planning stage cost unknown.
The Department of Finance has eight staff working in press and communications in 2025 and this is not due to increase in 2026. ** The salary is based on an average using salary scales.
The following information has been provided by the Bodies under the Aegis of the Department.
Tax Appeals Commission
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
196.80 |
196.80 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
0 |
0 |
The Tax Appeals Commission has never employed any staff in press, media or communications and does not intend to employ any press, media or communications staff in the future.
Credit Review Office
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
38,523 |
40,398 |
71,853 |
|
*80,000 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
0 |
0 |
*Estimated figure
Investor Compensation Company (ICCL)
ICCL had advertising and promotion expenditure in 2024 of €4,376. This related to statutorily required or Court mandated advertisements/notifications for Investor Compensation events.
Financial Services Pensions Ombudsman
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
39,672.55 |
43,623.05 |
51,176.98 |
|
79,435 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comms Staff |
|
|
|
|
2 plus part of Manager’s role |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comms Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
278,204 |
293,051 |
The FSPO also employs the services of a PR Company: €13,768.88 (2025) / Projected for 2026: €15,000.
There are currently no proposals to increase the number of press, media or communications staff.
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council
No reported spend on advertising and promotion and no press/media staff employed.
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
0 |
4,710 |
1,620 |
|
3,500 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
87,313 |
131,867 |
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General does not have any proposal to increase the number of press, media and communications staff at this time.
Central Bank
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
54,415 |
144,601 |
260,433 |
|
271,500 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
809,924 |
753,632 |
*2025 Cost of Press/Media/Comms staff are based on Gross Salary values as at 31 December 2025.
** 2026 Costs of Press/Media/Comms staff are based on Gross Salary values as at 01 January 2026.
There are currently no proposals to increase the number of press, media or communications staff.
National Treasury Management Agency
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2026 Budget |
|
Advertising & Promotion |
150,185.82 |
115,046.45 |
129,565.88 |
133,452.86 |
• These figures include HBFI and the SBCI. As part of a shared services agreement, HBFI and the SBCI reimburse the NTMA in respect of costs attributable to them.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
5 (note 1) |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
Note 2 |
Note 2 |
Note 1: Press, media and communications activity in the NTMA is primarily included, alongside other activities, in the remit of its Public Affairs and Communications function. This function, comprising 5 employees, also provides related support services to the SBCI and HBFI.
Note 2: The NTMA remuneration model is based on confidential, individually negotiated employment contracts. Given the small number of staff involved,in order to preserve the confidentiality of the personal employment information of the relevant staff, the staff salary costs of this function are not disclosed.
The NTMA Public Affairs and Communications function currently has no vacancies.
Additionally, SBCI and HBFI would incur direct advertising spend related to its role so there is no recharge to them by the NTMA involved for that spend. Breakdown provided below.
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
566,419 |
543,948 |
979,249 |
|
849,578 |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
0 |
0 |
Home Building Finance Ireland
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
22,000 |
42,000 |
87,000 |
|
120,000 |
National Asset Management Agency
As NAMA is in the process of winding down, it does not have any staff dedicated to press, media, or communications. There are no proposals to increase the number of press, media or communications staff.
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Advertising and Promotion (€s) |
0.48m |
0.26m |
0.66m |
|
1.1m |
|
No. of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
Cost of Press/Media/Comm.s Staff (€s) |
|
|
|
241k |
306k |
There are currently no proposals to increase the number of press, media or communications staff.
