No external consultants, professional companies or advisors were engaged by my Department in relation to developing its contribution to the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012 or in any subsequent year.
For completeness, I wish to advise the Deputy that a number of capital projects funded by my Department generate a significant number of jobs and are referenced in the Action Plan for Jobs for the years in question. Cost benefit analysis studies were undertaken in advance as part of two of those projects, the refurbishment project currently underway at the National Gallery and the proposed scheme of improvements for the National Archives. In addition, a study was commissioned on the benefits of capital investment in film studios, which also has the potential to generate jobs.
It is the policy of my Department, when acquiring services of this nature, that a competitive process should always be used unless there are justifiably exceptional circumstances. Following three separate competitive tendering processes, Dorgan Associates were commissioned to carry out these three studies at a total cost of €32,104.50, including VAT.
