Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

427 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the names and number of consultants employed by him or his Department in each of the past three years; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18491/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

429 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the names and numbers of public relations firms employed by him and or his Department in each of the past three years; the total cost in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18521/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 429 together.

Details of the consultancies and related costs, since the formation of my Department in July 1997, are as follows:

Consultant	Nature of Service	Total CostSince 1997
		£
Mr. Bart Cronin	Press and Information Officer	55,814
Mr. Padraig O'hUiginn	Policy Adviser to me	3,098
Slattery Public Relations Ltd.	Provision of a public relations and media service to me, the Minister of State and the Department (1)	159,260
Fleishman Hillard Saunders	Provision of a public relations and media service to me, the Minister of State and the Department	36,956
Deloitt & Touche	To support my Department in carrying out its responsibilities, under EU Regulations, in relation to auditing three Operational Programmes – Tourism, 1994-1999, Local Urban and Rural Development, 1994-1999 and URBAN 1996-1999	18,453
Consultant	Nature of Service	Total CostSince 1997
		£
Kit Campbell Associates	Specialist advice for the assessment and selection phase of the tender procedure for the development of a 50 metre swimming pool	29,623	(excl. VAT)
Paul Boland Consultancy	Development of database for grants under Sports Capital Programme	20,000	(excl. VAT)
Paul Boland Consultancy	Re-design and upgrading of Department's Website	7,000
Farrell Grant Sparks	To assist in the preparation of the National Drugs Strategy Review	To be determined
Baker Consultants	Development of computer network for National Drugs Strategy	5,480
Farrell Grant Sparks*	Ongoing external evaluation of URBAN Operational Programme	156,253
PA Consulting Services	Facilitate and assist with the development of a strategic planning process in my Department	24,034
PA Consulting Services	An evaluation of the processes and structures associated with the Government's Drugs Initiative (i.e. Local Drugs Task Forces and National Drugs Strategy Team)	40,660	(inc. VAT)
PA Consulting Services	Examination of current grant payment procedures in my Department for National Governing Bodies of Sport	4,500	(excl. VAT)
Keane Murphy Duff*	Independent audit on progress of various projects listed for grants under the Tourism Operational Programme, 1994-1999	33,892
Fizzical Limited	To develop resource materials for the Sport for All Leadership Award Programme	7,260
Dave Farrington	Research consultancy on drugs training in respect of the Drugs Initiative and the Young People's Services and Facilities Fund	6,050

In addition, under arrangements already in place prior to the establishment of the Department, the following consultancies were ongoing:

Consultant	Nature of Service	Total CostSince 1997
		£
Goodbody EconomicConsultants*	Ongoing external evaluation of Local Urban and Rural Development Operational Programme	243,732
Fitzpatrick Associates*	External evaluation of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999	233,337
Fizzical Limited	To inspect Waymarked Ways identified by the department on the advice of the National Waymarked Ways Committee	28,072
Jean Boydell	To inspect Waymarked Ways identified by the department on the advice of the National Waymarked Ways Committee	33,530
Institute of Leisure andAmenity Management	To provide expert, technical advice on sports related issues	203,280
Atlantic Sport andManagement Limited	Project Manager to Sports Strategy Group	17,500
Mason Hayes and CurranSolicitors	Advice on establishment of the Irish Sports Council	1,640
Sean McHale and Associates	Drafting job descriptions for the Irish Sports Council	2,420

*75% of costs are recoupable from the EU.

(1) The contract with Slattery Public Relations Limited referred to above was originally entered into by the former Minister of State, Deputy Allen. A further contract was entered into on 2 September 1998 following a tendering procedure in line with Government procurement guidelines. This contract terminated in October 1999.