Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Has the Taoiseach given any consideration to a renegotiation of the contracts for advisers from outside the Civil Service in his own Department or in others? Is he satisfied that he cannot find the acquired expertise from within the Civil Service to cover the respective areas he has sought to address? Surely he cannot suggest that is the case? Particular expertise is acquired from within the Civil Service, so surely that would match up with and meet the Taoiseach's respective needs.

Regarding Deputy Kenny's point on the arrangement with the Department of Health and Children, I note he cited figures as well as the secondment of an adviser from the Department of the Taoiseach to the Department of Health and Children. My understanding from the figures is that the expenditure concerning non-Civil Service advisers within that Department is in excess of €900,000 — just short of €1 million. As my party's spokesperson on health and children, I must say that the advice given to the Minister has proved to be of little value in terms of people's real needs and their dependence on the health care delivery systems in this State.

Surely there is a requirement within the overall re-evaluation of the expenditure of public moneys in the Department of the Taoiseach and other Departments to revisit these arrangements holistically to see what savings can be made. Respect and regard is clearly due and must be attributed to people who have given long-term service within the Civil Service and the public service. Without question, they must have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to match, if not better, that of any of those who are brought in privately.

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