At least 76 people work in the Government's press offices, according to statistics released by individual Departments. The figures list people working either as press officers or in an administrative capacity in Government Departments.

The estimated cost of running the press offices is just over £2.2 million based on figures released by 10 individual Departments.

Costs listed for some Departments include salaries while others omit staff wage costs.

The information was released in reply to written questions from Mr Richard Bruton (FG, Dublin North Central) to each Department.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, informed the deputy that 11 people are employed in the Government press office and the estimated annual budget for this year to run the Government press office is £411,046.

In her reply the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said five civil servants staff the press office, including a principal office who also has responsibility for the Department's information section, the telephone service and the library. This year's costs are estimated at £161,500 including salaries, photography and the fax service.

The Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, has five officials assigned to his Department with an estimated budget of £295,000, which does not include salaries. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, has six staff in his press office with a budget of £100,000, excluding salaries. Five people, including two on a job share, are employed in the Department of Public Enterprise press office with an estimated annual running cost of £148,000.

The Department will spend up to an estimated £150,000 on consultancy services for the Radon Remediation Grant Scheme. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has one civil servant working in his press office, which he said does not have a specific annual budget.

Seven people work in the Department of Agriculture press office, which has an annual budget in the region of £400,000, mainly to cover advertising and printing costs. The Minister, Mr Walsh, said that figure would be exceeded this year because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said that four civil servants, two higher executive offices and two clerical officers worked in the press office of his Department, which he said had no specific budget.

The Department of Environment does not engage any firms to carry out public relations functions, according to the Minister, Mr Dempsey. He said however that "a number of firms are employed to promote awareness of important issues relating to my Department's functions and to fulfil publicity and information requirements". Seven people including two on a job-share, work in the press office whose running costs are estimated at £268,561 including salaries and travel.

Three people work full time in the press office of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. They are under the supervision of a manager who also has other duties. The Department's costs are about £149,000 - which are primarily salary costs.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has five people working in her press office, including her media adviser, but Ms de Valera said the office did not have a specific funding allocation.

There are over four people in the Department of Justice press office, according to the Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, who pointed out that there was no specific budget allocation. However staff costs for the Department are £158,656. A sum of £373,000 has been provided for consultancy projects this year but none of this has been spent so far.

Four people have responsibility for the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation press office, which has running costs of £115,000.