Departmental Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Questions (1100)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by her Department that were outsourced, in each year since the formation of this Government, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to her that have yet to be released by her Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40377/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Information on all studies, research and reports commissioned by my Department that were outsourced in each year since the formation of this Government are set out below:

2020

Company	Description	Cost incl. VAT
Maynooth University	CLÁR Programme Review	€20,086
Social Justice Ireland	Development of 2019 Annual Report of PPNs	€10,000
Indecon International Economic Consultants	Review of the Community Services Programme	€112,422
RPS	Guidance document relating to the rollout of the National Broadband	€83,537
Future Analytics	Feasibility study RE Digiwest network of rural digital working hubs throughout the AEC region	€19,919
Doonane Construction Services Ltd	Cost report on works re LEADER Project Claim	€1,476
Space Engagers	The Town Centre Living InitiativeSix Pilot Towns: Synthesis Report	€12,880
Acrux Consulting	Investigation for confidential HR staff case	€12,984
Economic and Social Research Institute	Evaluation of SICAP Pre-Employment Supports	Output under joint ESRI D/RCD research programme 2019-2023 with total value €210,000

2021

Company	Description	Cost
Social Justice Ireland	Development of 2020 Annual Report of PPNs	€10,000
Indecon	The Landscape of Philanthropic Giving in Ireland.	€80,000
Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland	Review of the Delivery, Funding and Strategic Development of the Walks Scheme	€66,545
Venture International Limited	Review of the Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) Scheme	€41,350
Economic and Social Research Institute	Review of International Approaches to Evaluating Rural and Community Development Investment and Supports	Output under joint ESRI D/RCD research programme 2019-2023 with total value €210,000
OECD	Review of Implementation of Social Enterprise Policy in Ireland – Not completed (Estimated Q4 2023)	€130,000
Pobal	The Community and Voluntary Sector Skills Audit (2021-2023)	€109,216 (No Vat Charged)
Pobal	National Volunteering Strategy: Research for Action 20 (2021-2023)	€70,000 (No Vat Charged)

2022

Company	Description	Cost
Curran Futures	Investment Fund Consultant contributed to the Periodic Critical Review of the Western Development Commission	€22,140.00
NorthPoint Aviation	Consultation service in publishing a EU compliant PSO air service Tender document for the Aran Islands air service	€5,000
Onside	Support with the renewal of sponsorship for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition for the period 2023-2027	€27,675
Crowe Advisory Ireland	To facilitate the design, planning and hosting of a national civic forum event including preparatory focus groups, a mid-project progress report with recommendations and a project outcomes report.	€19,931.54
Grant Thornton	Support with the development of Our People Strategy 2022-2025, DRCD Values, and a Leadership Development Programme.	€103,960
Amárach Research, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, Irish Local Development Network.	To administer Baseline Data Gathering Exercise of Social Enterprise in Ireland. To develop a methodology, carry out a survey and draft a report.	€100,318.80 (80% paid in 2022, final payment held until project completion in 2023)
Venture International Limited	Independent Review of LEADER Delivery Models for the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme	€21,817
William Parnell and Ciaran Lynch	Developing an Effective Rural Proofing Model For Ireland	€5,000
Mazars	PPN structural review	€74,000
Social Justice Ireland	Development of 2021 Annual Report of PPNs	€10,000
Values Lab	Evaluation of Pilot Community Development Programme (over 3 years)	€19,680.00 (2 payments made to date of €6,560 each) Final payment of €6,560 due in December 2024 on completion of evaluation)
Quality Matters	Ability Programme Evaluation 2018-2021	€62,361
.IE & Dublin City University	Digital Town Blueprint Reports	€206,532

2023

Company	Description	Cost
Grant Thornton	Staff training programme	€65,472
Crowe Ireland	Civic Forum – design, planning, hosting and reporting (contract commenced in 2022)	€14,311.05
Crowe Ireland	Facilitation of a round table discussion with DRCD and Volunteer Centres	€5,842.50
Amárach Research	To conduct a Baseline Data Gathering Exercise of Social Enterprise in Ireland (Commenced 2022). Published May 2023	€25,079.70 (final 20% payment, first payments in 2022)
KPMG	External review and broad national stakeholder consultation regarding SICAP 2018-2023	€92,250
National University of Ireland	First Government of Ireland-NUI Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Rural Development. ‘Mapping Social Enterprises and their Impact on Sustainable Rural Development in Ireland’[Commenced 2022, funded over 2 years]	€62,300 (Tranche 1 Paid February 2023) €55,600 ( Tranche 2 paid September 2023
TASC Ireland	Mapping of national commissioning practice in Ireland	€31,812
Consortiaco	Research into Socially Responsible Public Procurement & Buy-Social. Not completed. (Joint project between the Department of Rural and Community Development, Department of Justice and Pobal.)	€27,860
Social Justice Ireland	Development of 2022 Annual Report of PPNs	€10,000
Method Consultants	Upcycling of Bicycles and e-Bikes Pilot Initiative Evaluation Report	€7,995
ESRI	Civic and Political Engagement Among Young People in Ireland: The research is a collaboration with DCEDIY and is co-funded by both Departments at a cost of €64,585. DCEDIY paid half in 2022. DRCD will pay the remaining half in 2023 in the amount of €32,292.50.	€64,585

There are currently no reports submitted to the Minister or awaiting immediate release.