155. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across her Department, by project, year and value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51781/26]

The total cost of engagement between my Department and Accenture within the timeframe requested is detailed below:

External technical resources from Accenture are engaged to support the effective delivery of my Department’s policy objectives as laid out in our five-year Technology Strategy and Roadmap which was launched in March 2023. These external resources are crucial in assisting my department to lead in the adoption of new technologies and digital ways of working.

In addition resources from Accenture are engaged to support the internal Defence Sparx programme. Defence Sparx is a 12-week innovation programme that brings together members from across the Defence Forces and Department of Defence to address real organisational challenges.