Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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670. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of pro bono work provided to her Department by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months; how many of those firms have been awarded State contracts by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4602/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There was no pro bono work as referred to by the Deputy engaged by my Department and bodies under my aegis in the past 24 months.

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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671. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by her Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4615/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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It is the policy of my Department to minimise consultancy fees to the greatest extent possible, and to hire consultants only as the need arises and where the required professional expertise is not available in-house. All contracts entered into by my Department must conform with the relevant laws and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on Public Procurement.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the following consultancy firms were engaged by my Department in 2013.

The costs of services provided represent the overall costs to the Department. Final payments to the service providers are reduced to take account of Professional Services Withholding Tax.

My Department is currently working to compile a complete list as requested and this will be forwarded directly to the Deputy immediately as it becomes available.