Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - Consultancy Contracts.

Phil Hogan

Question:

168 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the amount of funding for consultancy and related study contracts which has been approved as part of the 2002 departmental Estimates and the budgets of each organisation and agency falling within the Department's aegis for this type of work; the degree of cutback compared to 2001; the consultancy projects which have been cancelled or postponed as a consequence of the cutbacks; the capital projects which will be postponed as a consequence of the cutback in consultancy budgets; the consultancy projects under consideration with his Department and its agencies which will be funded in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10931/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

It is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €7.3 million on consultancies in 2002. The amount spent on consultancies in 2001 was €5.18 million and accordingly there is no cutback in consultancy expenditure. While the detailed spending programme for 2002 has not been finalised, areas for which major expenditure on consultancy progress is envisaged include housing, environmental awareness, water services, spatial planning and waste management. Details of the budget for consultancies and related study contracts in organisations and agencies under the Department's aegis are not held in my Department.