Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the estimated spending in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54439/13]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has re-negotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54471/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 422 together.

A range of contracts are in place for the provision of ICT services including training, software and storage provision. While not considered as a consultancy, my Department did engage an external company for the provision of training and continuing professional development of its ICT unit and this contract has not been renegotiated since March 2011. Expenditure incurred in 2010 was €45,133; in 2011 was €80,586; in 2012 was €84,378; and in 2013 was €57,934.56. Expenditure of €19,000 is estimated for 2014.