Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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98. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7182/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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99. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7199/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.

My Department has not commissioned any reports from the firms detailed in the period in question.

On the matter of consultants contracted to perform work, following a competitive tender process, EY was engaged to assist in the delivery of the Annual Audit Work Programme, working with the Internal Audit Unit under the direction of the Head of Internal Audit of my Department. A total of 11 EY employees were contracted at various stages throughout 2018 with a total cost of approximately €464,000. At present there are 7 such persons working with the Internal Audit Unit.

While it is outside the parameters of the question asked, the Deputy may also wish to note that EY carried out a review of the Department's change programme in 2017, following a competitive tender process, at a cost of €76,568, with the report delivered in 2018.

Furthermore, following a competitive tender process in September/October 2018, EY was selected as the Department's Implementation Partner for its Transformation Programme. This commenced operation on 7th January 2019.

I have asked agencies under the aegis of the Department to respond to you directly on the matters raised.