Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the numbers of consultants engaged by his 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 his Department in these years and for the future. [25540/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011, following substantial Departmental reconfigurations. The total amount of expenditure on consultancy during the period from 2 June 2011 to end-December 2011 was €8,229. The details are set out in the table.

No consultants were awarded contracts during 2011 following the establishment of my Department. It may be noted that contracts for the provision of services have not been included.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department has taken measures to ensure that expenditure on consultancies is limited to what is strictly necessary and, in that context, senior management approval is a requirement before awarding any new consultancy contracts.