Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 783: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total amount paid to a consultancy company (details supplied) since 1997; the details of each of the contracts and services provided; the nature of controls applied in the procurement process; and if value for money has been achieved. [29567/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 820: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount paid to a consultancy company (details supplied) in respect of each year since 2000; the details of each of the contracts and services provided; the nature of the controls applied in the procurement process or processes; if he has satisfied himself that value for money has been achieved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29462/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 820 together.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government paid the company concerned €5,929 in 2002, €16,284.58 in 2003, €8,939.87 in 2004 and €10,285 in 2005. The company provides a database of research material relating to information and communications technology and business. The contract with Gartner allows staff to access and download independent advice on various topics including information technology, e-Government, project management and business and ICT strategies. The information is used to develop strategies, prepare tenders, select technologies and solve ICT problems. It also allows ICT staff in the Department to keep abreast of the latest advances in ICT. It is considered to have provided value for money to date. The fixed-price one-year contract is reviewed at renewal time each year.