Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2130. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years from 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. [35379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, environment, climate change and public broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on consultancies from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The details of theses consultancies are outlined in the following table. The majority of the contracts awarded by my Department are on a fixed rate basis and no hourly breakdown is available.
