Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1436. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on external consultants by her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [7277/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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 I am advised that no expenditure was incurred on external consultancy from my Department's Administrative Budget in 2019. 

My Department commissions engineering, environmental and other experts from time to time to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues.  While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants etc., or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.