Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the 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 which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by his Department, in these years, and for the future. [18978/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Details of all consultancy payments by the Department are available on my Department's website .

It is the policy of the Department in the exercise of its functions to use internal resources as far as possible, however external consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and where it is deemed to add value and independence to the overall work of the Department.

My Department is constantly looking at ways to upskill internal staff to minimise the need to use external consultants.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the Irish Sports Council; the number of consultants engaged by the council in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the council in these years, and for the future. [18979/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport.I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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233. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the Irish Aviation Authority; the number of consultants engaged by the authority in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the authority in these years, and for the future. [18980/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the National Sports Campus Development Authority; the number of consultants engaged by the authority in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the authority in these years, and for the future. [18981/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The National Sports Campus Development Authority, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the Commission for Aviation Regulation; the number of consultants engaged by the commission 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 the commission in these years and for the future. [18982/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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These questions relate to operational matters for the Commission for Aviation Regulation.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the National Roads Authority in 2012, 2013 and 2014; the number of consultants engaged by the authority 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 the authority in these years and for the future. [18983/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and  funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question regarding expenditure on consultancy in the period 2011-2014 to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days. The Roads Act 2015 provides for the merger of the NRA and RPA later this year.  The merger is consistent with Government plans for public sector reform and in particular, its programme for rationalisation of state agencies. The merger will also facilitate the sharing of professional expertise and is expected to lead to a reduction in reliance on external consultants.