LEO’S SPIN THE MONEY
Taoiseach spends €130k to improve image amid HSE and homeless crisis
LEO Varadkar’s department is forking out €130,000 to discover what people think of the Government.
Political rivals blasted the survey to find the best way of communicating with the public while the HSE is in crisis and thousands remain homeless. Fianna Fail’s Timmy Dooley described it “as another example of spin trumping substance”, adding: “It is time ministers worried less about their image and spent more time doing what they are paid to do.”
THE €130,000 spend by the Taoiseach’s Department on a survey to find out what people think was slammed as a waste.
Fianna Fail blasted the use of public money to promote the Government when ministers should be tackling the health and housing crises. The party’s communications spokesman Timmy Dooley said it was “another example of spin trumping substance”. The Research And Insight report is in addition to an extensive internal audit of all current communications that is under way by Leo Varadkar’s Strategic Communications Unit, dubbed the Department of Spin. Communications spokesman Mr Dooley added: “With the release of this tender, a very clear pattern from Leo Varadkar and his Government is emerging. “Far too much effort and tax payers’ money is being channelled into burnishing individual ministers’ images and reputations. “With the health system in chaos and unprecedented numbers of our children homeless, it is time ministers worried less about their image and spent more time doing what they are being paid to do.” Mr Varadkar’s department is spending €130,000 to find out the best way to save money on communications. According to the tender, the Research And Insight Survey is “to learn how best to communicate with citizens to ensure maximum value for money in all communication expenditure”. The survey will also question people on what role of Government should be in their lives and qualitative research on their views of Government. The survey is to be a nationally representative sample on the basis of age, gender, social class and nationality. Six surveys are currently planned for this aspect of the work.