The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
My Department commissions external expertise where specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
Expenditure includes reports on Ireland’s international development programme (Irish Aid). This programme is managed by the Development Cooperation and Africa Division (DCAD), coordinating with our missions abroad implementing bilateral development programmes, predominantly in Africa, but also in Latin America and South East Asia, including with other Government Departments. It is shaped by the whole-of-government policy, A Better World, adopted in 2019 and framed by commitment to Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
External expertise has informed, and continues to inform my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our programme in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objectives.
Please find a table below for 2023-2025, which provides the details requested by the Deputy:
|
Year
|
Expenditure €
|
Number
|
|
2023
|
1,028,614
|
36
|
|
2024
|
1,052,858
|
44
|
|
2025
|
745,734
|
31
|
The largest engagements in this period, by value, are as follows:
|
Year
|
Supplier
|
Expenditure €
|
|
2024
|
Gartner
|
179,175
|
|
2023
|
Gartner
|
143,172
|
|
2023
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants
|
114,525
|
|
2024
|
International Organisation Development
|
111,836
|
|
2024
|
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd
|
108,761
|
