My Department administers a very diverse and complex brief. Its remit includes oversight of very complex policy areas and direct procurement of major services where protection of the State’s interest must be paramount. This situation necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice in legal areas to enable it to discharge its responsibility to deliver quality services and protect the interests of the State and the taxpayer. In procuring specialised legal services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary. The table below sets out the total legal costs incurred by my Department in the years 2009 to 2012.
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
€494,683.64
|
€568,601.48
|
€335,335.74
|
€102,228.88
|
The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I have notified the relevant agencies of the Question and have requested them to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.