Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 439: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by her Department in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the numbers of consultants engaged by her Department in those years; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by her Department in these years and for the future. [25552/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Total expenditure on the engagement of consultants by my Department for the years 2008 to 2011 is set out below and consultancies involved are detailed in the tables.

The Department engages a range of consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (expert analysis and advice).

The majority of expenditure on consultancy expertise is to support the Department in implementing a multi-annual Service Delivery Modernisation programme (SDM) to enhance the efficiency and quality of delivery of services to customers. Further technical consultancies relate to the on-going development of the Department's extensive information technology systems.

In addition consultants are engaged for work including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making.

The use of consultants is kept to a minimum. External assistance is only engaged when it is regarded as the most cost effective means of delivering the required services, where relevant expertise is not readily available and/or where transformation demands exceed Departmental resources. The Department has made considerable progress in developing in-house competencies and reducing the reliance on consultants particularly in regard to the continuing development of its information technology infrastructure.

In meeting business objectives and in maximising investments in staff and systems the Department will continue to focus on achieving value for money and where relevant will utilise the considerable flexibility, and specialised expertise, provided through the engagement of consultancy services.

Note: In addition to the consultants detailed above the balance of the department expenditure from its consultancy allocation for 2009 (€85,018) was used to support the research programme of The Combat Poverty Agency which from 1 July 2009 became part of Social Inclusion Division within the Department.