Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 July 2025
3340. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a Corporate Procurement Plan in place. Procurement processes cover all procurement within the Department, including external legal services. Each process and the use of any panels is on a case-by-case basis.
All legal costs for my Department are included within the published Appropriation Accounts, under 6.1 within Vote 45. Please find the link below. The 2024 Accounts are currently under audit and will be published once the audit is complete.
Appropriation Accounts - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General: https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/
