Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [30164/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in my Department are guided by the Department of Finance 1999 Guidelines on Engaging Consultants in the Civil Service when commissioning outside consultants for specific projects. These guidelines have been reviewed and augmented in the light of the Quigley report recommendations. In addition, the Government has recently decided that Secretaries General-Accounting Officers will be required to certify compliance with the terms of the guidelines in respect of major projects.

While there is no requirement for ministerial approval in respect of specific projects, I will review the financial provisions for consultancy in the context of the formulation of the 2006 Estimates and I will satisfy myself that the guidelines are being applied in my Department and that proposed expenditure is necessary.

As the Deputy will be aware, consultancy projects, as with all other aspects of voted Government expenditure, are open to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [30179/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The process for the engagement of consultants by Departments generally is regulated by guidelines issued by the Department of Finance. This document covers all elements from the establishment of need, through the procurement process to the monitoring of the project. The need to ensure value for money is paramount in the entire process.