Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate, in tabular form, the total expenditure by his Department on external consultancy advice services, including legal services, in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if this spend is in line with the overall value for money objective of his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10015/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The following is the total expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external consultancy advice services, including legal services, for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013:

My Department is fully committed to achieving the best value for money in respect of the expenditure of public funds. My Department has, in line with Government policy, taken measures to reduce the level of expenditure on external consultancies. Consultancies are undertaken on the basis of necessity and in instances where it is not possible to conduct the work in-house having regard to the nature of the work and the skills required.