My Department maintains high standards in the management of the public funds entrusted to it and is fully committed to transparency, fairness and accountability in all its purchasing activities.
While my Department does not routinely publish details of its annual consultancy spend online, the information is periodically released under Parliamentary Questions and published on Oireachtas.ie. I refer to Question No. 218 of 9 October 2025 which includes details of any external consultants, engaged by my Department in each of the last five years.
My Department routinely publishes a range of procurement related information as required by statute or regulation. For example, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014, an annual report of public contracts awarded over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT), and quarterly reports of procurement related payments valued over €20,000 (inclusive of VAT), are regularly published at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/procurement/.
My Department maintains an environment of good corporate governance, ensuring an effective system of internal financial control as set out in its Corporate Governance Framework which can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/corporate-governance-framework/.
Financial responsibilities are managed through a system of delegation and accountability. Reporting arrangements have been established at all levels where responsibility for financial management has been assigned. In addition, my Department has an internal audit function with the role of independently examining the controls and systems established by the Department; and reporting to Management, the Secretary General and the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is independent and objective in the performance of its functions, providing advice and guidance on a broad range of areas including financial management processes and reporting.
