Written answers

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Consultancy Contracts Data

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4605/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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No pro bono work was provided to my Department by legal, accountancy or consulting firms in the past twenty four months.

With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.

For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Departments website, this information is

updated when any relevant changes occur.

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4618/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The information sought is set out on the following table in respect of the years 2009 to 2012 inclusive.

Information in relation to consultancy expenditure is compiled annually in respect of the previous year. The information in respect of 2013 is currently being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department the information sought is a matter for each agency and is not collated centrally. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.

For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Departments website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur.

List of Consultants engaged by the Department of Education and Skills
YEAR 2009
Purpose
Total Cost
Review of overhead/indirect costs re work carried out by Bus Eireann on behalf of DES for the administration of the school transport scheme
€67,677
Provision of ICT Research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit
€51,030
Schools Broadband Access Programme- Technical, Commercial and Financial Advisor for the Advisor for the Evaluation & Contract Phases of the Procurement of Broadband Internet Connectivity for Schools
€33,959
To evaluate the provision of a post-graduate Diploma in SEN (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) in St Angela's College, Sligo
€5,000
European Regional development fund-Look Back Exercise
€3,742
2009 annual review re courses in Northern Ireland
€2,430
2009 Total:
€163,838
YEAR 2010
Purpose
Total Cost
Mid term review of the Lifelong Learning Programme & prepare a report for Departmetn of Education & Skills for onward transmission to the European Commission
€59,284
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit
€37,026
Declaration of Assurance 2009 Audit - to review procedures & workflows in the National Agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme & to provide a basis for the yearly Declaration of Assurance from DOES to the EU Commission
€16,299
Expertise relating to the model public service pension scheme to assist in the establishment of a pension scheme for the NCTE
€5,324
Review procedures & workflows in the National Agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme & to provide a basis for the yearly Declaration of Assurance from the Department of Education & Skills to the EU Commission
€4,795
2010 annual review of Post grad courses in Northern Ireland
€2,420
Ergonomic workstation assessment & report
€300
2010 Total:
€125,448
YEAR 2011
Purpose
Total Cost
Evaluation of the Special Education Support Service established by the Department in 2003 to address the then rather fragmented provision of continuing professional development in the area of special education.
€97,866
Commercial Financial & Technical Procurement advice for Schools Broadband Tender
€63,633
Mid term Evaluation of the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013
€61,589
Evaluation of the training & education programmes for the unemployed delivered under LMAF 2010
€52,003
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit 1/10/2011 - 30/09/2012
€35,150
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
€31,281
Advisory Group to convene the Forum on Patronage & Pluralism in the Primary Sector, to receive and distil the various views and perspectives of participants and to report and advise the Minister
€20,000
To carry out audits of the national agencies for the Lifelong Learning Programme in Ireland, these will serve as the basis for the submission of Declarations of Assurance from International Section to the European Commission
€16,299
Development & submission to DOES of draft criteria for the proposed re-designation of amalgamated institutes of Technology Universities arising from the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030
€9,075
Follow up work and provision of advice in relation to the FGS report (redacted report due to commercially sensitive issues in original report)
€8,411
External audit of Dell and Waterford Crystal EGF programmes
€5,445
Pensions advisory work relating to the establishment of a pension scheme for staff of the NCTE
€4,792
2011 annual review of Post graduate courses in Northern Ireland
€2,420
The independent panel shortlisted a number of proposals, made recommendations to the Minister on the preferred proposal for designation of a single awarding authority and made recommendations it considered necessary in relation to modification or development of the preferred proposal for implementation purposes
€1,928
External Reviewer in an appeal against an inspection under section 13 (9) of the Education Act 1998
€920
2011 Total:
€410,811
YEAR 2012
Purpose
Total Cost
Commercial, financial and technical advice on the procurement of broadband services for schools
€52,040
Subscription for provision of ICT research, advice, guidance & related services to the IT Unit
€36,789
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting
€17,303
Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality framework for Early Childhood Education
€16,748
Preparation of a Declaration of Assurance in respect of the Lifelong Learning Programme
€16,568
Provision of Oracle Financials functional & accounting advice in moving from a four vote operating unit to a single operating unit
€11,607
Audit of Labour Market Activation Fund (LMAF)
€9,839
IT Security Audit of the EUSF IT Database
€5,064
Provision of international expertise on Literacy & Numeracy to the Literacy & Numeracy Implementation Advisory Committee
€3,870
Training and expert advice relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill
€2,700
Provision of Oracle Financials training support along with training documentation in the implementation of Performance Budgeting
€2,070
2012 review paper of Republic of Ireland post graduates in Northern Ireland
€1,845
Review of an appeal against an inspection under section 13(9) of the Education Act
€719
Completion of a workplace assessment for staff member with a disability and resulting report
€370
Chair of Independent Panel re the establishment of the single grant awarding authority
€84
2012 Total:
€177,615

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