4046. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount his Department and Departmental agencies have spent in 2025 and to date in 2026 on social media and web advertising; the proportion this is of his Department's advertising budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60919/26]

The social media and web advertising spend in 2025 can be attributed to three separate campaigns managed by my department:

• “Hey SUSI” sought to encourage prospective and current students to assess their eligibility for student grant supports;

• "Room for a Student” aimed to increase the supply of student accommodation by encouraging homeowners to rent spare rooms to students while availing of the Rent?a?Room Relief, under which income of up to €14,000 per annum may be earned tax-free;

• “Housing for All” campaigns designed to address skills gap in construction.

Social media and web/digital media spend for those campaigns was approximately €285k, which accounts for 45% of total media spend in 2025.

My department is currently planning two campaigns in 2026

• “Housing for All” campaigns designed to address skills gap in construction.

• “Rethink the Room” encouraging homeowners to rent spare rooms to students after research showed "digs" accommodation was an overwhelmingly positive experience for students and homeowners.

Final spend for these campaigns are not yet available.

The information in respect of aegis bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.