Vol. 445 No. 6
118 Miss Harney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of consultants, special advisers or programme managers retained by his Department since this Government took office; the nature of the work they have undertaken; and the cost of their services. [785/94]
A total of 39 consultants were employed on short-term contracts under the Irish Aid Programme to assist with the review of existing aid projects and to plan and prepare for new projects. The total cost of these consultancy services amounts to £1,007,447.
Within the Department of Foreign Affairs, a consultant was employed to advise on the preparation of the Department's Strategic Management Plan at a cost of £4,061 plus VAT and the services of a consultant to the Legal Division of the Department have been retained at a cost, to date, of £7,666.
In addition one person has been appointed to carry out the duties of adviser and programme manager at a current annual salary of £44,089.
There is one programme manager in the office of the Tánaiste who assists the Tánaiste in managing and co-ordinating the achievement of the Government's objectives in the Partnership Programme for Government. He provides administrative back-up to the Tánaiste to assist in the achievement of these objectives and meets regularly with the other programme managers to review progress. In addition there are two special advisers employed in the office to provide legal, economic and general advice to the Tánaiste on Government policy matters.
The full year costs of retaining the three individuals is in the order of £156,000 including where appropriate, VAT, PRSI and superannuation charges.
