4056. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure incurred by his Government Department on external consultancy services in each of the past five years, broken down by consultancy firm, project and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61342/26]

The Deputy may wish to note that the Department publishes its annual expenditure on external consultancy services. The relevant information for the years 2020 to 2024 is available at the following webpage: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/organisation-information/department-consultancy-spending/.

Data for 2025 is currently being finalised and will be uploaded shortly.