Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Consultancy Contracts.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

195 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in 2000, 2001 and 2002; the numbers of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30272/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The total expenditure on consultancy in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the number of consultants engaged in respect of areas under the current remit of my Department in each of the three years is set out in the following table:

Year	No.Consultants	Expenditure€	CMF*–Refund€	ActualExpenditure€
2000	12	311,331	–	311,331
2001	19	835,312	106,341	728,972
2002	20	294,852	–	294,852

*Change Management Fund

Expenditure on consultancy is monitored very closely in my Department. Consultants are only engaged where the required expertise is not available within the Department.