Written Answers. - Consultancy Services.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
127
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the names of individuals, groups or companies which have undertaken or have been approved to undertake full-time, part-time or casual consultancies, reviews, examinations or analysis, apart from public relations services, on his behalf or on behalf of Minister(s) of State at his Department; the total cost to date in 1995 for each contract; when the work is likely to be completed; and the estimated cost for the full job.
[18985/95]
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.
It is estimated that the total cost for consultancy services in 1995 will be about £4.2 million. The major portion of this expenditure — approximately £2.9 million — relates to the development of the Department's new integrated short-term scheme computer system for use in all social welfare offices around the country.
The remainder — £1.3 million — was allocated to a variety of technical and business strategy consultancy projects. Table A shows the list of consultancy companies used under the various categories.
The vast majority of the contracts will complete before the end of 1995.
TABLE A
Consultancy contracts in Department of Social Welfare during 1995.
1. Integrated short-term scheme com-Cost puter system £2.9m
— Assistance with development of the computer system including technical advice on the use of new technology products.
Andersen Consulting Digital Equipment Ireland Ltd.
2. Strategic Information Technology Cost Planning £445,460
— Development of an Information Technology strategic plan.
— Redesign of the telecommunications network.
— Review of the central computer sites.
Coopers and Lybrand
Digital Equipment Ireland Ltd.
Telecom Éireann
Gartner Group UK Ltd.
3. New System development projects Cost £202,730
— Development of information services framework.
— Development of a system for Equal Treatment payments.
— Development of a new Central Records system.
IBM
Digital Equipment Ireland Ltd.
4. Support for existing computer Cost system £461,420
— Technical support for the Social Welfare Appeals Office system.
— Enhancement of payment computer systems.
— Review of Central Records database.
— Software product support.
— Advice on security aspects of the Social Services card.
Price Waterhouse
Digital Equipment Ireland Ltd.
Zergo Consultants
5. Surveys and Studies Cost £166,970
— Rent and Mortgage Supplements.
— Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes.
— Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
— Customer Service.
— Study of costs of social housing.
— Combat Poverty Agency review.
— Evaluation of impact of Back to Work Allowance scheme.
— Study on document management.
Economic and Social Research Institute Majih Ltd.
MRBI
Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd.
Work Research Co-Operative Social and Economic Consultants Ltd.
Price Waterhouse.
6. Miscellaneous Cost £22,620
— Advice on Strategic Management Initiative and various financial legal and other matters.
Kieran McKeown
Coopers and Lybrand
Manorhamilton Services Ltd.
Stappers, Eliaerts and Thiers
Social Information Systems Ltd.
