Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection 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. [68465/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Consultancy is defined by the Department of Finance as where a person or organisation provides intellectual or knowledge-based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) through delivering reports, studies, assessments, recommendations, proposals, etc. that contribute to decision making or policy development.

The procurement of consultancy services is essential to support my Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. All expenditure is closely monitored, and companies are only engaged for essential work, following a rigorous assessment of need and where the required competencies do not exist in house.

I can confirm to the Deputy that all expenditure since 2011 incurred by my Department in relation to Consultancy and IT External Services Provision is published annually on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/48366f-department-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection-policy-on-pro/#what-we-purchase.