496. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29118/14]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 15 April 2014. The position remains unchanged. In relation to my Department's policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where tasks involve expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.