Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1398. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7284/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The expenditure by my Department in 2019 on external consultants was some €1.2 million.  Information on an average hourly rate is not readily available in respect of the range of projects concerned and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Consultancy service providers are only engaged by the Department where specific expertise is required which is not available in the organisation at the relevant time. In availing of such services, every effort is made to ensure maximum value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary to achieve the relevant objectives. Conflicts of interest are managed in accordance with specific provisions in the terms and conditions which are included in the relevant public procurement request for tender documentation.