142. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29155/14]

143. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29174/14]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

While my Department makes use of external IT service providers for various support and maintenance requirements for its data and communications networks, it has not engaged, nor re-negotiated contracts with, any IT consultants since March 2011. In 2010 and 2011 the Department engaged consultants for the purpose of providing infrastructure- and systems-related security advice and the amounts expended were €65,545 and €23,529 respectively. There are no plans at present to engage ICT consultants in 2014.

It is my Department's policy to seek competitive tenders and to test the market on a regular basis for all IT requirements.