The cost of producing and publishing the strategy paper on the labour market "Growing and Sharing our Employment" is estimated at approximately £16,000. This amount covers the cost of editing, design, printing and the launch of the strategy paper and also includes an external review by the Economic and Social Research Institute at a cost of £1,500.
I am circulating, in tabular format, the names of consultants currently employed by my Department, the costs of engaging the consultants and a description of the work they are completing.
Consultants are usually employed where there is a lack of expertise available from within my Department and where outside advice is considered necessary. In some instances, due to pressure on existing resources, or the size of a contract, or a combination of both, consultants may be engaged to carry-out a particular task. In other cases, such as the evaluation of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999 to which I have referred in the list, the engagement of external consultants are a specific requirement of the European Commission.
In general, I do not consider that there is an excessive use of consultants by my Department.