In response to your question the Department's total expenditure from Subhead A7 - Consultancy for the years 2016 to date, is set out per the tables attached.
It is the policy in the Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
In relation to the amount spent by the HSE and each individual hospital I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Department.
Department's total expenditure from Subhead A7 - Consultancy for the years 2016 to date