Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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201. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of her Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations including hiring and interviewing of staff, disciplinary procedures and workplace related issues such as allegations of bullying and so on or dignity at work issues in each of the years 2015 and 2016. [29333/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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With regard to my Department, I can confirm that the costs for work contracted out to external agencies and/or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations was €1,732.50 in 2015 and €8,766 in 2016.

With regard to four agencies under the aegis of my Department, I can confirm that the costs for work contracted out relating to these matters are as follows:

- Oberstown Children Detention Campus: €24,767.26 in 2015 and €32,075.57 in 2016.

- The Adoption Authority of Ireland: no costs in 2015 and €27,060 in 2016.

As the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they reply directly to you.

I also have forwarded the question to Tusla and asked that they reply directly in this matter also.