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Consultancy Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (257, 259)

Niall Collins

Question:

257. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills 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. [54438/13]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

259. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has re-negotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54470/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together.

In addition to the spend on IT consultancy services, the IT unit of my Department engages contract staff and external service providers to provide specialist technical support and to deliver specific projects where needed. The total spend on external staff (consultancy, contractors and external service providers) was as follows:-

2010 - €1,353,466; 2011 - €1,486,158; 2012 - €1,507,434; 2013 - €1,142,656 (to end November).

The anticipated expenditure in 2014 will be dependent on the specific projects prioritised by my Department's Management Advisory Committee for inclusion in the IT Unit's 2014 work programme, with expenditure subject to sanction by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the ICT Control procedures. Where IT consultancy, external service providers or contract staff are required for specific projects then the Department conducts procurement exercises in accordance with current ICT procurement policy. In November 2013, the Department commenced an open procurement exercise for admission to a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the supply of temporary contract ICT personnel, replacing the present Framework Agreement due to expire in the new year. The new Framework will be in place for an initial two-year period with the option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance. As and when a specific requirement for resources arises during the currency of the Framework Agreement, the Department will issue mini-tenders to participants in the Framework and invite them to submit competitive bids. This will reduce the time taken for the Department to respond to business demands while ensuring value for money on an ongoing basis.

Details of ICT procurement policy may be accessed on http://ictprocurement.gov.ie/ or http://ict.gov.ie/ictexpenditure/ictcontrol.aspx.

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