Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments
Noel Dempsey
Ceist:
82
Mr. Dempsey
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the consultants who were appointed by his Department since 16 December 1994; if they were appointed following a tendering procedure; if the consultant appointed in each case was the lowest tenderer; and if not, who the lowest tenderer was.
[15707/95]
Most consultancy assignments in the Department are in respect of computer systems development. Outside expertise is engaged to provide expert technical advice of a specialised nature, to supplement existing resources and to provide strategic advice.
Companies tendering for contracts must satisfy strict general criteria as laid down in national and EU legislation, regulations and guidelines. Competitive tendering is the normal practice except where there is only one supplier of the service or if time constraints apply. The policy is to accept the lowest cost suitable tender following detailed evaluation against the specific criteria laid down in the request for proposals.
It would not be appropriate to list those companies which were not successful in bidding for the various contracts. This information is commercially sensitive and is confidential.
The following consultancy contracts were awarded since 16 December 1994. Economic and Social Research Institute
1. A survey and analysis of rent and Mortgage Supplements was commissioned as a extension to an existing study commissioned by the Department of the Environment.
2. A national survey of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes was commissioned following a competitive tender.
Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd.
3. A study of the Costs of Social Housing was commissioned following a competitive tender.
Coopers and Lybrand
4. Assistance was sought with the review of Department's Information Systems Plan following a competitive tender.
Digital Equipment Ireland Limited
5. Assistance was sought on the development of a computer system for the payment of Equal Treatment arrears from the same company which was involved with the earlier development of the Equal Treatment system.
Work Research Co-operative Social and Economic Consultants Ltd.
6. Consultancy assistance was obtained to evaluate the impact of the Back to Work Allowance Scheme following competitive tender.
Price Waterhouse
7. A Study on document management in the Pensions Services Office was commissioned following competitive tendering.
Majih Ltd.
8. Assistance was sought with the analysis of Supplementary Welfare Allowance survey data. This project was undertaken in response to an urgent business requirement and did not warrant the cost of a tendering exercise. (less than £1,000).
Zergo Consultants
9. Consultancy assistance was engaged to provide advice on security aspects in the use of the Social Services card. The firm, which has previously undertaken some work for the Department, was selected on the basis of it being the leading specialist adviser on card related security used by the major financial institutions in Ireland.
IBM (Ireland) Ltd.
10. Consultancy assistance was obtained to assist with the technical aspects of information dissemination following competitive tendering.
