Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 473: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the guidelines in place for the commissioning of outside expertise in the consultancy and public relations fields; and if ministerial approval is required for approval of expenditure on such commissions. [30163/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 474: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of reports, consultancies and cases from external commissions where the issue of poor value for money was highlighted in his Department from 1998 to date in 2005. [30178/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.

The procedures to be applied in engaging consultants are set out in the Department of Finance guidelines on this subject which supplement the general guidelines relating to public procurement. Ministerial approval of individual contracts is not a requirement of these guidelines. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has also recently agreed upon on a number of new measures to improve the management of consultancies, including a review by the Department of Finance of the existing guidelines to ensure that they accord with best practice.

I am satisfied that the measures in place in my Department are such that value for money is achieved in the use of the services in question. The additional measures recently announced will contribute further to the effective use of external advice as an aid to policy development and in the delivery of quality public services. Given the range and complexity of issues addressed by my Department, additional external advice has a role in providing skills and experience not readily available within the Department including in the design of major IT systems such as those referred to in my response to Question No. 155 of 20 October.