Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
466. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total advertising budget allocated by her Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if she has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32014/23]
View answerMy Department does not allocate a specific budget for advertising. However, if a business need for some limited advertising expenditure arises, it may be approved on a case by case basis. No advertising funding has been provided directly to RTÉ by my Department.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission, POBAL, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulator. In respect of these bodies, information relating to such expenditure is a matter for the bodies concerned. They are all independent legal entities responsible for managing their own administration and corporate affairs in compliance with their statutory obligations.
