Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard Allen

Question:

221 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of funding for consultant and related study contracts which has been approved as part of the 2002 departmental Estimates; the budgets in each organisation and agency falling within his 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. [22273/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

This information was sought by the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 736 on 9 October and furnished to him on 23 October 2002. The update on the information now sought by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded directly to him. Regarding the remainder of 2002, the amounts for the Education group of Votes are outlined in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2002. I am not in a position to provide further details regarding consultancy projects under consideration by my Department at this stage of the year because of procurement related issues. Expenditure for the bodies under the aegis of the Department is a matter for the bodies themselves.