Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Health the number of reports that have been commissioned by him since his appointment; the number that have been received by him; the number outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38377/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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296. To ask the Minister for Health the number and cost of all reports commissioned by him, his predecessors, or his Department, in each of the years 2011 to date in 2016 in tabular form; the topics they are investigating; the date of completion; the date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38378/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.

Since my appointment as Minister for Health I have not directly commissioned any reports.

The Department does not collect data in a manner which would allow the Deputy’s second question to be answered in full. Published reports for the years in question are available on the Department’s website at: . Presented in the table below are details from the Department's A7 expenditure for consultant reports commissioned by the Department from March 2011 to December 2015 together with associated costs and publication status as of the latter date. Data for 2016 are not yet available and will be collated and forwarded as soon as possible.

It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter. Should the Deputy have a particular report for which details are required please provide details to my office and I will arrange for the matter to be followed up.