Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2013. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35376/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested in relation to details of consultancy services for 2012 to 2017 is outlined in the following link.
My Department seeks to minimise the use of consultants and only engages consultancy companies when particular additional expertise is required for delivery of the services which support the business processes of the Department. Such services are used in areas where the Department does not have the necessary expertise or internal capacity to deliver the services and where it would not make practical, operational or economic sense to build up this capability within the Department. Some engagements are necessary to satisfy auditing and EU regulatory requirements as to independent review. All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money.
It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the hourly rate as the majority of consultants were engaged under a framework agreement, set fee or fixed price contract.
