Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, his Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if his Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68463/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department adheres to the EU and National public procurement guidelines and legislation and maintains high standards in the management of the public funds entrusted to it and is fully committed to transparency, fairness and accountability in all its purchasing activities.

As a requirement under the relevant Circular 20/2024, my Department reports the total cost of external consultancy annually in its Appropriation Accounts. In addition, my Department publishes information on its website in relation to purchase orders in excess of €20,000 every quarter.

It is the intention of my Department to continue adopting a transparent and accessible approach to information about public funds and, in this context, the Department will examine the potential for publishing further relevant information related to consultancy spend in 2026.