Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he will detail in tabular form, the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department since February 2011 is set out in the table that follows this reply. My Department is always mindful of the costs involved in engaging consultants. External consultants are engaged only when there is a clear need for specialised expertise and following a rigorous examination of skills and resources available in-house. The objective of using outside consultants is to ensure my Department achieves value for money by implementing recommendations for improvements in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.