Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Advisers.

Mary Harney

Question:

178 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of consultants, special advisers or programme managers retained by his Department since this Government took office; the nature of the work they have undertaken; and the cost of their services. [780/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

There are no consultants attached to my office or that of the Minister of State.

I have one special adviser, who is a civil servant. There is one post of special adviser to the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Joan Burton, which is filled by two people on a share basis.

The function of personal advisory staff is to assist me and the Minister of State in discharging our responsibilities as public representatives and holders of Government Office in a Department of State with responsibility for delivery of social welfare services to the public.

My partnership programme manager is a civil servant with extensive relevant experience in the Department of Social Welfare. Prior to her present appointment she was head of information and research at principal officer level with the Pensions Board. The partnership programme manger assists in managing and co-ordinating the achievement of the Government's objectives which are set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The partnership programme manager provides administrative back-up to my office to assist in the achievement of these objectives and regularly reviews progress. The estimated cost for 1994 is £110,000. This includes civil servants.

As part of its ongoing business, my Department engages consultancy assistance principally to assist in the development of the computer systems aimed at modernising service delivery and to provide analysis of specific organisational issues. Most consultancies relate to technical and/or management support with projects that are designed to improve the delivery of the services of my Department. My Department's current consultancy requirement is heavily influenced by the development and implementation of a major strategic project to integrate all short term social welfare schemes. The estimated cost to my Department of consultancy for 1994 is £4.27 million.