Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 March 2014
153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form, the total expenditure by his Department on external consultancy advice services, including legal services, in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if this spend is in line with the overall value for money objective of his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11189/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the total expenditure by my Department on external consultancy advice services, including legal services during the period 2011 to 2013 are detailed below. The Deputy may wish to note that legal services provided externally are not in the nature of a consultancy. They are, in essence, more in the nature of a contract for services.
|
Name |
Purpose |
Duration |
Cost (€) |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
An evaluation of the Equality for Women Measure 2008-2013, a positive action measure co-financed by the ESF; as measured against the programme’s original stated objectives. |
August 2013 - December 2013 |
34,820 |
|
The Communications Clinic |
Employed on a once-off basis to facilitate at a consultation event with the Deaf Community. |
November 2013 |
*1,374 |
|
Kane Touhy Solicitors |
Solicitors fees for Ringrose v Minister for Justice |
July 2012 |
103,032 |
|
Michael Whelan |
Chairperson of the Working Group on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. |
October 2011 - April 2012 |
9,376 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald, Solicitors |
Legal advice on insolvency issues for development of the Insolvency Bill 2012 |
July 2012 - December 2012 |
495,232 |
|
RITS |
Specific tasks relating to IT Security - Applications risk analysis - Penetration test and security review - IT security audit of FMS system |
2013 1 day 2012 5 days 2012 3 days |
2,102 6,090 4,738 |
|
RITS Bianconi Research Ltd. |
Required to conduct various perimeter ICT security reviews (Penetration Testing) & to review & report on the integrity of the Department's existing security infrastructure & other applications Department-wide. |
1 September 2011 - 1 September 2014 |
20,624 |
|
SAM360/Openplain |
Microsoft Software Licence Review/Audit |
1 November 2011 - 28 February 2014 |
6,458 |
|
Hibernia Evros |
Enterprise Design Architect to review options for datacentre re-build |
Drawn down from a contract for Temporary ICT Personnel valid from 28 October 2011 to 27 October 2015 |
24,631 |
|
Professor Gisli Gudjonsson and Dr John Pearse |
To assist with the work of the Smyth Advisory Committee to advise the Minister on any changes in the law or practice in relation to interviewing suspects held in Garda custody. |
Ongoing since December 2011 and it is expected that their work will continue in 2014 |
29,532 (£Stg) |
|
Ms. Joanne Williams BL |
Provision of legal researcher/assistant services to help with projects relating to the work of the Smyth Advisory Committee |
March 2013, 1 year contract |
2,393 |
|
Dermot Foley, Safecon Training & Consultancy |
The preparation of a Safety Statement and Risk Assessment Investigation. |
January - May 2012 |
984 |
|
The Institute of Public Administration |
Mid-term review of National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence. |
2012 |
24,539 |
|
SourceDogg |
Proof of concept project on business intelligence from spend analytics for possible wider Government Sector applications |
2013 |
18,757 |
The Deputy may also wish to note that a payment of €3,993, inclusive of VAT, was made to consultancy firm Byrne O'Cléirigh, in March 2011. This was a final payment following receipt of a final report in which advice was given on the risk assessment methodology used in a proposal for a new complex system of underground storage of explosives. This report was commissioned prior to March 2011.
* Payment made in January 2014.
