Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Finance the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by the Revenue Commissioners in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of consultants engaged by Revenue Commissioners 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 the Revenue Commissioners in these years and for the future. [25561/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total amount of expenditure on consultancy in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the details requested are set out in the following tables. In accordance with "Guidelines on the Engagement of Consultants and other External Support" issued by the Department of Finance, consultant support is procured only where it is necessary and value for money is obtained.

The need for consultancy varies from time to time depending on business projects and priorities. As can be seen from the following tables Revenue's expenditure on consultancy is now at a significantly reduced level. It has decreased from €422,282 in 2008 down to €32,163 in 2011, which is very low especially when viewed against a total administrative expenditure in that year of €391.9m.

It must be acknowledged that the engagement of consultants is the appropriate approach for certain specialist activities or short term engagements. Nevertheless, Revenue seeks to identify administrative savings in this and other subheads, and only approves expenditure on consultancy on a business case basis.