andMr. O'Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an increase of 6 per cent is being estimated for consultancy services in his Department for 1985; and how the additional £28,000 will be spent.
645.
Written Answers. - Consultancy Services.
644.
andMr. O'Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the expenditure of £500,000 on consultancy services in 1984; the number of people employed on this work; and how these people were recruited.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.
It is expected that the Department will spend £500,000 in 1984 on fees and expenses on consultancy assignments and other commissioned surveys and studies. The bulk of the expenditure arises in connection with the provision of technical support for the operation of the Department's computer systems (£109,000) and with the development of the existing and new computer systems (approximately £370,000). The balance of the expenditure (under £20,000) relates to non-computer studies or services, e.g. research projects or specialist services which are commissioned by the Department from time to time and to the part-time services of an economic adviser to the Minister (£4,000).
The technical support for the operation of the Department's computer system is provided under an ongoing contract with the Department's main computer supplier. The usual tendering procedures are followed in engaging consultants for the development of existing and new computer systems. It is not possible to give a reliable figure for the number of people engaged on the various projects as this can vary for a particular project depending on its requirements, the stage of development and the availability of suitable personnel where an organisation is concerned.
The consultancy provision for 1985 is broadly similar in its elements to the 1984 allocation with provision for anticipated increases in fees with most of it being provided for maintenance of existing computer systems and the development of these and new computer systems which will continue throughout 1985. The increase of £28,000 cannot be attributed to any one project.