Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the guidelines in place for the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields; and if ministerial approval is required for expenditure on such commissions. [30153/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department applies stringent controls regarding the employment of external consultancy assistance. Under existing procedures, a business case must be prepared to support the need for the consultancy and approved at either principal officer or MAC level, as appropriate. Funding to support the procurement, which can be project-specific or from the Department's administrative budget, must be identified and approved before any commitment is made. The procurement of all consultancies must comply with public procurement law and meet requirements under both national guidelines and European rules. Once awarded, each procurement contract must be managed in accordance with the Department's best practice.

In addition to measures recently announced by the Government to ensure the appropriate use of consultancy assistance across the Civil Service, I have also now introduced additional procedures in my Department to ensure that the business cases for all such contracts receive my approval.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the percentage of reports, consultancies and cases from external commissions where the issue of poor value for money was highlighted in her Department from 1998 to date in 2005. [30168/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.