Vol. 541 No. 3
136 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will provide a list of consultants who have been employed by his Department from June 1997 to date; and the fees which have been paid to each such consultant. [22628/01]
From time to time, external consultants, either companies or individuals, may be retained to carry out specific assignments in relation to policy issues or to aspects of the administration of the Department's schemes and services. These consultants are not employees of the Department nor are they paid a salary. The consultancies are arranged under standard procurement procedures and payment is by way of fee for the particular assignment involved.
If the Deputy wishes to have information in relation to consultancy assignments undertaken, this will be supplied by my Department on request.
