Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department has spent on consultants, forums, working groups and consultation documents in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43720/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The expenditure on consultancy in my Department to date in 2008 amounts to €6,921,989. This amount includes major spends of €1.4m in respect of the Power of One Energy Efficiency advertising campaign and €765k in respect of the procurement process for the National Broadband Scheme.

As with all Departments the 2009 allocation for consultancies in my Department has been greatly reduced. In the case of the A7 subhead which relates fully to consultancy services this reduction is 38%.

The accounting records within the Department are not held in a manner which would facilitate the ready availability of the other data as categorised in the Deputy's question but the amount involved would not be significant.

If the Deputy has an interest in a specific case or cases I will make the appropriate enquiries.