Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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445. To ask the Minister for Social Protection 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. [4625/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department engages a range of consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (expert analysis and advice). The majority of consultancy expertise is to support the Department in implementing a multi-annual service delivery modernisation (SDM) programme to enhance the efficiency and quality of delivery of services to the customer. This modernisation programme is supported by the procurement of external development services (IT external service provision) as well as engagement of external IT consultants to provide strategic technical advice. Further technical consultancies relate to the ongoing development of the Department’s extensive information technology systems.

In addition consultants are engaged for work including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making. I am satisfied that the engagement of consultants provides valuable support to the Department and that the procurement of consultants is compliant with best practice in realising value for money. Expenditure details for 2013 in respect of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by my Department and bodies under its aegis are set out in the following table.

Department of Social Protection Top 20 Consultants 2013