Department of Education to monitor Facebook, Twitter

THE Department of Education has added Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets to news sources that it monitors each morning.

Officials in Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s department have increased to over 160 the number of key phrases and names to be scanned across all news forums as a way of tracking what is being said and written about education.

The new service, to begin in mid-January, will mean any newspaper article or online item featuring the names of ministers at the department, education journalists and or any of the other key words will be e-mailed to senior Department of Education management by 9am on weekdays and before midday at weekends. They are also notified of radio or TV stories and debates on education, with the option of getting recordings or transcripts.