Departmental Expenditure

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Questions (802)

John Clendennen

Question:

802. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that is radio, television, social media, in tabular form y; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36496/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The majority of advertising campaigns undertaken by my Department relate to public consultation processes and notifications to the public. These usually involve public information notices in print media. These are required to ensure awareness and engagement on the issues in question, and required expenditure is kept to a minimum.

My Department has also undertaken some public awareness campaigns covering issues such as Responsible Dog Ownership and the XL Bully Regulations. Such campaigns are more extensive than the campaigns noted above, as they are nationwide campaigns that last four to six weeks and are delivered through multiple channels including online, print, broadcast and digital audio. The Department ensures all such expenditure represents value for money and closely monitors the impact of such campaigns which relate to important public policy issues. It should be noted that some such expenditure, including those dog controls related campaigns, relate to functions have have since transferred out of the Department.

The table below details the information requested by the Deputy with regard to my Department.

There are eight agencies under the remit of my Department and it should be noted that each agency is an independent corporate entity responsible for managing its own corporate affairs. Nonetheless, my Department has collated information provided by the agencies and it is provided in tabular format below. One agency, Foras na Gaeilge, requires further time to collate the requested information and that information will be forwarded to the Deputy by my Department within 10 working days.

Breakdown of relevant expenditure by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht:

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio	0	0	€35,056	€250,354	€225,797	0
Television	0	0	0	0	0	0
Social Media	€4,798	0	€622	€40,967	€22,577	0

Breakdown of relevant expenditure by agencies of the Department:

An Coimisineir Teanga

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio					€861	nil return
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return

Charities Regulator

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio	€88,546	€44,126	€45,742	€63,610	€97,984	€33,134
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	nil return	nil return	nil return	€4,000	€14,000	€5,000

Pobal

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Radio	nil return	nil return	nil return	€27,165	nil return	nil return
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio	nil return	nil return	nil return	€1,119	€2,411	€2,583
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	nil return	nil return	nil return	€1,087	€3,246	€3,113

Ulster Scots Agency

Media Channel (figures in pounds sterling)	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio	£11,482	£11,794	£12,240	nil return	£12,859	nil return
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	£941	£1,038	£1,012	£3,151	£1,281	£598

Water Safety Ireland

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 - to date
Radio	€304,353	€286,999	€222,783	€201,633	€192,317	€38,780
Television	€4,041	nil return	€800	€3,584	€1,676	nil return
Social Media	€163,838	€135,685	€118,123	€129,367	€157,774	€50,696

Western Development Commission

Media Channel	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026 to date
Radio	nil return	nil return	€25,928	nil return	€7,995	€8,180
Television	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return	nil return
Social media	nil return	nil return	€22,638	€27,911	€35,055	€9,685