The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed, and continues to inform, the Department’s policies, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objectives.
A small number of consultancies are engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time and in some instances they prepare technical reports relating to Ireland’s overseas development aid programme.
The following expenditure was incurred by my Department from 2016 to date in 2019:
Year of commission
|
Experts/Consultants
|
Report/Subject
|
Cost
|
2016
|
Right to Change
|
Planning of Irish Aid Country Strategy Programme Tanzania 2017-2022
|
€13,974
|
2016
|
Bronagh Hinds
Debbie Donnelly
|
Midterm Review of the 2nd National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
|
€15,506
|
2016
|
The Institute of International and European Affairs
|
Comprehensive study mapping that Ireland Japan relationship to mark the 60th anniversary of Ireland-Japan Diplomatic Relations in 2017
|
€22,000
|
2016
|
Grant Thornton
|
Audit Services
|
€100,000
|
2016
|
Emily Mates
|
Stocktake of Nutrition Engagement
|
€13,612
|
2016
|
Noel Casserly
|
UNFCC Reporting and Climate Finance Mapping 2015-2016
|
€25,370
|
2016
|
REEV Consult International
|
Evaluation of the CSF and the Partnership Fund
|
€25,000
|
2016
|
ASM
|
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme
|
€26,533
|
2016
|
Emmanuel Sulle
|
Land Rights Scoping Study / Consultancy
|
€7,500
|
2016
|
Ishihaka Mwandalima
|
Gender Based Violence scoping study
|
€3,750
|
2016
|
McQuillans
|
Accounting, Audit and Financial Services
|
€6,240
|
2016
|
PWC
|
Internal audit of Embassy, and external audit of selected projects/programmes
|
€75,000
|
2016
|
Dr Cornelius Chipoma
|
Review of the Irish Aid Zambia Education programme
|
€9,000
|
2016
|
Luiz Genedio Mendes Jorge
|
Review of the Supreme Audit Institution’s report and opinion on the State Accounts 2014
|
€4,800
|
2016
|
Southern Cross Consulting
|
Review of Embassy of Ireland’s approach to Fellowship in Tanzania
|
€11,430
|
2016
|
Willis Towers Watson
|
Study of Compensation Levels - Locally engaged staff in diplomatic missions (USA)
|
€3,150
|
2016
|
Mercer International
|
Study of Compensation Levels - Locally engaged staff in diplomatic missions (Irish Aid)
|
€13,200
|
2016
|
Eamon Brehony, Alais Nakuyukuyo Morindat
|
Review of Irish Aid support to Pastoralism in Tanzania
|
€10,450
|
2016
|
Centre for Law and Democracy
|
Analysis of anti-corruption legislation in Tanzania
|
€2,670
|
2016
|
CASE International
|
Consultancy to evaluate the Civil Society Fund
|
€49,800
|
2016
|
Ingrid Obery
|
Review of partner results and internal capacity building on results based Management
|
€25,000
|
2016
|
Anne Nolan/Janet Gruber
|
Review of Global Health and HIV AIDS
|
€39,535
|
2016
|
Technopolis
|
Review of Product Development partners
|
€19,375
|
2016
|
Caoimhe Hughes
|
Review of Annual Reports of Programme Grant Partners
|
€4,000
|
2016
|
Mr. Sean Mc Gearty
|
Review of Co-Operation Ireland
|
€14,188
|
2016
|
M Horizon (UK) Ltd
|
Analysis of recent recommendations issued by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
|
€1,788
|
2017
|
ASM
|
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme
|
€59,292
(paid between 2017 & 2018)
|
2017
|
Tierney & Associates, Risk & Governance Consultants
|
Systems review of Emigrant Support Programme
|
€15,375
|
2017
|
Indecon Consultants
|
Economic Report on Addressing the Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants
|
€73,628
(paid between 2017 & 2018)
|
2017
|
Ernst & Young (EY)
|
External Quality Assessment of Internal Audit
|
€18,450 (paid between 2018 & 2019)
|
2017
|
Amárach Research
|
Brexit Research: Understanding the likely demand for Irish passports from citizens in U.K
|
€21,000
|
2017
|
M Horizon (UK) Ltd
|
Continental Shelf NE Atlantic
|
€3,163
|
2017
|
Mary Brady
|
Overview of Humanitarian Mine Action
|
€4,500
|
2017
|
Noel Casserly
|
UNFCCC Reporting and Climate Financing Mapping 2016 – 2017
|
€25,537
|
2017
|
Rachael Twinem
|
Internal review of the management structure and roles in the DICE (Development and Intercultural Education) project
|
€5,721
|
2017
|
Mercer International
|
Study of Compensation Levels - Locally engaged staff in diplomatic missions (Irish Aid)
|
€19,188
|
2018
|
FitzPatrick Associates
|
Review of VIBE programme
|
€11,234
|
2018
|
FitzPatrick Associates
|
Review of ROR’s approach to Fellowships in Palestine
|
€18,761
|
2018
|
MEPS Consulting
|
Feasibility Study on Gaza Solar Energy Proposal
|
€38,787
|
2018
|
Brian Casey
|
Review of the Humanitarian Programme Plan in Somalia
|
€9,591
|
2018
|
Brian Casey
|
Review of the Humanitarian Programme Plan in Burundi
|
€4,500
|
2018
|
Brian Casey
|
Review of External Quality Assurance HPP 2019-2021
|
€2,250
|
2018
|
Julia Lewis
|
Review of the Humanitarian Programme Plan in Cameroon
|
€9,383
|
2018
|
Niall Roche
|
Review of the Humanitarian Programme Plan in Tanzania
|
€8,548
|
2018
|
Sherry McLean
|
Review of IRC Strategic Partnership and IRC Kenya Country Programme
|
€13,925
|
2018
|
Mercer International
|
Study of Compensation Levels - Locally engaged staff in diplomatic missions (Foreign Affairs and Trade)
|
€38,376
|
2018
|
The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces / International Security Sector Advisory Team
|
Member States’ Systems of Secondment to Civilian CSDP and Recommendations for Strengthening and Expanding Ireland’s Participation.
|
€50,000 approx.
(awaiting final invoice)
|
2018
|
Leading Edge
|
Giving effect to a commitment in the National Plan on Business and Human Rights, a tender was awarded to Leading Edge for the baseline assessment of the legislative and regulatory framework pertaining to business and human rights as it applies in Ireland.
|
€24,293
|
2018
|
ASM (B) Ltd
|
Audit of Grants awarded under the Emigrant Support Programme
|
€81,402
|
2018
|
National Centre for Research on Europe at the University of Canterbury
|
Undertake a benchmark analysis of how Ireland is perceived in New Zealand. The study is led by the National Centre for Research on Europe at the University of Canterbury and will take the form of surveys, media analysis and interviews with key stakeholders in New Zealand.
|
€13,500
|
2018
|
AECOM
|
External Services for the analysis of Rio Markers and Climate Finance in Irish Aid - Funded Programmes, 2017 to 2018
|
€3,000
|
2018
|
Deirdre Clancy
|
Ireland's engagement with Somalia
|
€11,782
|
2018
|
Mazars
|
Support to ICT Audit (ICT Security, ICT Governance, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery)
|
€15,990 (paid in 2019)
|
2019
|
Red C
|
Perceptions of Ireland in Japan
|
€11,624 (co-funded with Tourism Ireland)
|
2019
|
Dr. Maria Gallo
|
Scoping research study on alumni engagement of Ireland's Diaspora.
|
€23,000
|
2019
|
Brian Casey
|
Review of the Emergency Response Fund
|
€11,850
|