Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the reports, reviews and studies commissioned by her or her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department since 9 March 2011; the date on which they were commissioned; the date on which they were completed; the date on which they were published; the cost of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12437/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

The Department engages consultants (individuals or organisations) to provide intellectual or knowledge based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) including the delivery of reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals that contribute to decision making or policy making.

The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority (formerly Pensions Board) and Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Other than the Citizens Information Board, the agencies did not commission any reports over the period concerned.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. I am satisfied that the engagement of consultants provides valuable support to the Department, that procurement of consultants is compliant with best practice in realising value for money, and that the reports, studies, assessments, recommendations and proposals produced contribute to decision making and policy making.

Bodies under Aegis of the Department

Citizens Information Board