Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Ceisteanna (77, 78, 80)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work being conducted by a company (details supplied) for his Department. [41723/20]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

78. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the breakdown of his Department’s spend on consultancy firms advising on Covid-19-related matters. [41724/20]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

80. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Taoiseach the costs incurred by his Department in the commissioning and production including professional fees of advice from a company (details supplied) on Covid-19 restrictions published online on 27 October 2020; and if further expenditure was incurred on external services or consultants for advice on Covid-19 restrictions for the period since 17 October 2020. [41176/20]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78 and 80 together.

My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms or other external service providers for advice on COVID-19 restrictions and there is no spend on consultancy firms advising on COVID-19-related matters.

My Department, working with the HSE and their contractors EY, the CSO, and a number of other Departments, have been drawing together existing data outputs to maximise the insights that can be gained.

This builds on the existing strong work being carried out across Government Departments to integrate data and insights relevant to management of the Covid-19 pandemic since it began.

The HPSC, HSE, and Department of Health, have been providing a great deal of epidemiological data and data on disease progression. In addition to health data, economic and other data are very relevant to understanding the impacts of restrictions, where supports are needed, and whether those supports are effective.