The National Consumer Agency (NCA) wishes to contract with a supplier to provide Strategic Planning, Creative Development and Production of Advertising to assist it in the execution of its statutory functions in the area of public awareness.

The NCA is a statutory body mandated to enforce key aspects of consumer law in Ireland and to promote consumer interests by:

— carrying out consumer information and public awareness activities to fulfill two of its statutory roles:

- to promote public awareness and conduct public information campaigns for the purpose of educating and advising consumers in relation to consumer protection and welfare.

- to promote the interests of consumers of financial services by providing information on financial services, including information on the costs, risks and benefits of those services.

— providing relevant information on consumer rights and to assist consumers in buying goods and services (including personal finance products) and in dealing with consumer issues arising from those transactions.

— using research and advocacy to stimulate debate on, contribute to and influence the development of public policy measures that affect consumers' lives.

— empowering consumers through appropriate educational interventions at relevant times in their lives, including through the school system.

In October 2008, the Government announced its intention to merge the National Consumer Agency with the Competition Authority (www.tca.ie). This is expected to happen during the term of the contract.