The cost of consultancies undertaken by the private sector for my Department in each of the years from 1995 to 1997 is as follows: 1995: £361,098; 1996: £693,784; 1997: £498,314. The estimated cost for 1998 is £2,144,800.
These figures include costs incurred by bodies funded from the Taoiseach's Department Vote, including by the NESC, the Information Society Commission, the National Partnership Centre, the All Party Committee on the Constitution and the Referendum Commission.
The large cost arises in 1998 due to the expenditure of £1.8 million by the Referendum Commission in relation to the 19th Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1998.