The Northern Ireland centenary campaign featuring Seamus Heaney. Credit: Northern Ireland Office
A spokesperson said: "Our Story in the Making: NI Beyond 100 was created to recognise the stories of the people of Northern Ireland from all communities, past and present.
"Permission for use of the Seamus Heaney portrait was granted by Queen's University Belfast, which holds rights to the portrait."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood last week slammed the "cynical" use of Mr Heaney's image in Northern Ireland's centenary campaign as "deeply offensive".The Foyle MP told this newspaper: "Heaney's significant body of work belongs to everyone on this island.
"It is his account of life in a place struggling with its own identity and it would be wrong, therefore, to attempt to associate his image with a particular political narrative."