Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

366. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of reports that her Department have commissioned Indecon to undertake and the cost of same. [49565/13]

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

The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

The Department engages consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making.

Since March 2011, Indecon International Economic Consultants have been engaged once at a cost of €59,557 to undertake an independent evaluation of the operation and impact of JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, and to make recommendations upon improvements to the operation of the Scheme. This engagement followed an open procurement procedure which was completed in April, 2012. The final report of the evaluation was published on 1st May, 2013.