LEO’S ‘PROPAGANDA UNIT’ WILL COST THE TAXPAYER*

*THAT’S TWO DAYS AFTER SAYING IT WILL COST US NOTHING

THE Government has finally admitted that setting up the Strategic Communications Unit in the Taoiseach’s Department will, in fact, result in additional costs to the taxpayer. It comes just two days after it insisted that establishing the unit would be costneutral. The unit has been criticised by the opposition as a ‘vanity propaganda project’. However, the Government conceded yesterday that due to the fact that the unit’s new chief, John Concannon, has vacated a public post to take up the position, there will be a cost in filling that vacant post.

Mr Concannon’s previous role was as director of Creative Ireland, where his salary was up to €140,000. He will retain that salary in his new post.

Joining him in the new unit is Andrea Pappin. She will earn up to €102,212 a year and will retain her current responsibilities as the Government’s Brexit Communications Coordinator.

Government Press Secretary Feargal Purcell said yesterday the new unit is likely to have as many as three more staff.

He said the unit ‘will be established within existing resources. John Concannon is already an employee of the State as a civil servant… He’s been redeployed and is receiving no increase.

‘There is a process being put in place to fill Creative Ireland’s role… John Concannon is being replaced. I think they’re hiring somebody else, as I understand it,’ added Mr Purcell.

However, he initially insisted this did not constitute an additional cost in setting up the Strategic Communications Unit.

‘I wouldn’t [accept that it constituted an additional cost] because this Strategic Communications Unit is not part of Creative Ireland. So, there might be some additional cost for Creative Ireland, but not for the Department of An Taoiseach,’ said Mr Purcell.

It was pointed out that replacing Mr Concannon represented an additional cost to the taxpayer – regardless of which department the expenditure was attributable to.

He said: ‘That is fair comment… There is no additional cost at this point – at this point – beyond John’s replacement in Creative Ireland, which arguably isn’t an additional cost as it doesn’t relate directly to the expenditure of this… But, I mean, ultimately… the taxpayer will pay his replacement.’

Labour leader Brendan Howlin branded the unit a ‘vanity propaganda project’ and expressed concern that its establishment had been shrouded in secrecy.

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny said: ‘I find it very frustrating that the Taoiseach’s main priority seems to be his own image rather than the serious problems such as housing and health.’

‘Ultimately taxpayer will pay’ ‘Main priority seems to be image’