Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government 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. [10321/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The information requested is set out in the following table:

The Market Development Programme for Waste Resources, launched in 2009, involved expenditure of some €1.6 million in the years concerned in respect of work by a number of firms to assist in the development of sustainable markets and outlets for recyclable materials.

External consultancy advice services are availed of by my Department in circumstances where necessary work cannot be carried out within the resources/expertise available to the Department. The awarding of consultancy contracts in my Department is carried out in accordance with Guidelines for the Engagement of Consultants and Other External Support by the Civil Service, published by the Department of Finance. In procuring such services and managing the associated contracts, every effort is made by my Department to ensure maximum value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary to achieve the relevant objectives.