asked the Minister for Health whether the services of any outside firms of business consultants, efficiency experts, organisation and methods advisers or such like were engaged by his Department, or by any authority for which his Department are responsible, within the last six years; and, if so, if he will state the number of persons so employed, and the cost and duration of their employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Business Consultants.
12.
Mr. Ryan
No business consultants or similar experts have been engaged during the past six years by my Department or by authorities established by the Minister for Health.
Information is not available in my Department about the extent, if any, to which the services of consultants may have been utilised by local authorities.
13.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Finance whether the services of any outside firms of business consultants, efficiency experts, organisation and methods advisers or such like were engaged by his Department, or by any authority for which his Department are responsible, within the last six years; and, if so, if he will state the number of persons so employed, and the cost and duration of their employment.
Three firms of consultants have been engaged in the period mentioned by offices for which I am responsible. The duration of their engagements to date is 78 months and fees totalling £37,052 have been paid.
Mr. Ryan
Can the Minister say how many qualified accountants there are in the Department of Finance, and in what way have they defaulted in the performance of their professional duties to necessitate the introduction of outside experts?
That is an entirely separate question.
Mr. Ryan
It bears on the employment of so-called efficiency experts.
It does not arise out of the question.