Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013
128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the estimated spending in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54441/13]
View answer130. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54473/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 130 together.
While my Department makes use of external IT service providers for various support and maintenance requirements, it has not engaged any IT consultants since 2011. In 2010 and 2011 the Department engaged consultants for the purpose of providing infrastructure- and systems-related security advice and the amounts expended were €65,545 and €23,529 respectively. There are no plans at present to engage ICT consultants in 2014. It is my Department’s policy to seek competitive tenders and to test the market on a regular basis for all IT requirements.
