As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, as currently configured, was established on 2 June 2011 and therefore the available information is being provided from that date. I am advised that €41,557 was spent by my Department on consultancies during this timeframe. The details requested in relation to this expenditure are set out in a table. It may be noted that contracts for the provision of services are not included.
With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the engagement of consultants is part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.
TABLE: Expenditure on consultancy by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht from 2.6.11 to date
Name of company
|
Consultancy
|
Competitive tendering
|
Amount paid since 2 June 2011
|
University of Birmingham
|
Research relating to Bord na Móna Peatlands Survey
|
Yes
|
€28,378
|
Avia Solutions
|
Review of financial submissions relating to Aran Islands PSO contract
|
No
|
€6,300
|
Dr Evelyn Moorkens, Environmental Consultant
|
Strategic approach to Margaritifera (freshwater pearl mussel) conservation
|
No*
|
€1,929
|
Bonnar Keenlyside
|
Review of Dublin Contemporary 2011
|
Yes
|
€4,950
|
* a recognised Irish expert on the particular species involved