Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Health 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. [10014/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's total expenditure on consultancy over the past three years including legal services from 2011-2013 is as per the table. My Department is aware of the need to minimise legal costs and, in general, avails of legal services and advice from the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. The main purpose of the public procurement process is to ensure that goods, services and works are purchased by the State in a manner that is legal, transparent and of high probity, and our key requirement is the achievement of value for money. Expenditure on consultancy is within the budget allocation for each year.