Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

609. To ask the Minister for Health the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23454/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

612. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has renegotiated external information and technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23571/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 612 together.

My Department operates a shared ICT service which, in addition to supporting the business of the Department of Health also provides IT support for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. While my Department does engage external contractors for specific services, such as software development, security and network support, it has not, in the periods specified, engaged external consultants in relation to IT and consequently the issue of renegotiating does not arise. Contracts for operational ICT work are re-tendered in line with public procurement requirements.