asked the Minister for Agriculture 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.
26.
Mr. Ryan
As regards the first part of the question, the only case I am aware of was the engagement by the Irish Potato Marketing Company Ltd. of two firms of business consultants to advise on the reorganisation of the company's accounts and statistics processing systems. I have no information in regard to the data requested in the second part of the question.
Question No. 27 postponed.
28.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Transport and Power 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.
My Department has engaged outside consultants for seven projects. The aggregate cost and duration of the surveys undertaken amount respectively to £11,157 and 30 weeks. Some of these projects are at present in progress.
As regards the employment of consultants by the authorities for which I am responsible, this is a matter of day-to-day administration for the bodies concerned. These bodies are fully alive to the need for employing modern methods of work study and organisation and employ consultants when deemed necessary.
Have any of these economy experts suggested the Minister himself as surplus?