Departmental Expenditure

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Questions (581)

Gary Gannon

Question:

581. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a breakdown of expenditure by his Department and bodies, agencies or organisations under his remit on paid verification services on a platform (details supplied) or any other verified account products, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of verified accounts held under each category; the annual cost per account; the total annual cost incurred; the procurement basis under which these services were purchased, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5641/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

My Department has been configured as Culture, Communications and Sports (CCS) since June 2025, prior to this, the configuration was as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media (TCAGSM).

My Department does not pay, and has never paid, for verification or premium access to the platform mentioned.

A range of communication forms – including advertising, social media postings and media engagement – are increasingly important in informing the public of the Department’s work.

At all times value for money is a critical consideration when engaging in paid advertising or marketing.

Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these matters are operational matters for the agencies themselves.