Vol. 499 No. 3
279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number, description and identity of contracts, consultancies or disbursements entered into, awarded or approved by his Department since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2661/99]
My Department made approximately 2,500 payments in each of the years 1997 and 1998 in respect of contracts placed for the provision of goods and services in the period. Goods and services include computers, electronic office equipment, stationery, office furniture and the provision of consultancy and various cleaning services. Details of the bigger contracts – i.e., with a minimum value of £100,000 – made in the period in question will be forwarded to the Deputy within the next week.
The voluntary and community services section and the family affairs unit of my Department operates a number of schemes and programmes of support for voluntary and community groups. Full details of disbursements by way of grants under these schemes up to and including 1997 are held in the Dáil Library for the information of members. Details of the grants paid to voluntary and community groups in 1998 are currently being compiled and will be available in the Dáil Library in the coming weeks. A copy of the 1997 reports and the 1998 reports, when finalised, will be forwarded to the Deputy.
