4137. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht 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. [61349/26]

My Department is committed to achieving value for money for the acquisition of goods and services which are essential to support its work. Consideration is given internally prior to engaging external consultants, as to the need and scope of the services required, and such procurement is quite limited. The Department makes use of consultants and other external support services where the expertise or knowledge is not available within the Department, or where the service is required for the Department to effectively carry out its functions.

My Department publishes expenditure on consultancy services on a quarterly basis. The published information comprises details of the nature of the consultancy work undertaken and the costs incurred. Detailed information on external consultancy services engaged by my Department from its establishment in July 2017 to Q2 2026 is available on our website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/organisation-information/financial-information/#consultancies.