Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
135. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount of outsourcing that has been achieved in his Department since the letter sent by Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2012; the names of the outsourcing companies that have been involved; the total savings achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3296/14]
View answerMy Department is committed to examining all options, including alternative delivery mechanisms where appropriate, in order to achieve cost savings and enhance the services it provides. My Department has not engaged the services of specialist outsourcing companies, as it does not have the type of large scale transaction processing or direct service provision responsibilities in which such companies specialise. However, certain work is contracted out from time to time in cases where specific expertise is required. This is particularly the case in relation to technical advice, engineering services and some architectural services. My Department will continue to seek to maximise the value for money it can achieve with the resources available to it, including through the use of external providers, where appropriate.
