Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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74. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total expenditure on consultancy by his Department; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps that have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future. [18964/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount of expenditure on consultancy in my Department since it was established in July 2011.

My Department ensures that every effort is made to limit the use of consultants where possible.  All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money and are kept under review to ensure this is maintained.  When the use of consultants is unavoidable the staff in my Department ensure appropriate skills transfer to reduce the requirement for consultants going forward.