Vol. 556 No. 3
731 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department has at any time since June 1997 used the services of a company (details supplied); if so, the reason such a company was used; if this followed public procurement procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20011/02]
732 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department have at any stage used the consultancy services of companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20026/02]
733 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department have at any stage used the consulting services of companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20041/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 731 to 733, inclusive, together.
My Department and the agencies under its aegis have no record of having used the consulting services of any of the companies concerned. From time to time, external consultants may be commissioned to carry out specific assignments in relation to policy issues or to aspects of the administration of the Department's schemes and services. These consultancies are arranged under standard procurement procedures.
