Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2013
6. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a detailed account of the amount of money spent by his Department on consultancy services in culture and film in 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will provide specific details of the way the money was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26094/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAggregate expenditure in this area by my Department in 2012 was less than €14, 000. There were two projects in my Department on consultancy services in culture and film in the 2012 calendar year and in 2013, to date, that incurred expenditure. In 2012, €3,000 was expended on the international promotional works of the culture Ireland division in respect of a web development consultancy carried out by SureSkills Limited. That was the final payment for a consultancy that had commenced in 2011. A total of €10,959.30 was expended in 2012 on the independent external review of Dublin Contemporary 2011. The review is being carried out by Bonnar Keenlyside and should be completed later this year.
I thank the Minister for his response. His Department has not spent that much on consultancy fees. I was not aware of that. I am pleased the Minister agrees that consultants should only be used in exceptional circumstances and that it is of the utmost importance that taxpayers' money is spent sparingly when it comes to the employment of consultants. His response has satisfied me.
I thank the Deputy. My policy is that we should have the competency in any Department to be able to review projects. In my Department we have experienced staff who have served under a number of Governments in various capacities and I rely on them for their judgment at all times. They are very energetic and they have always fulfilled any task I have asked them to complete in terms of reviewing projects or making reports within the expected timeframe. I do not see a necessity to employ consultants.
