I wish to advise the Deputy that the consultancy costs of the Department of Finance are available on the Department’s website, the link to the annual consultancy costs reports up to 2024 is included below for ease of reference. The 2025 consultancy costs will be published in the first quarter of 2026: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/collections/consultancy-costs/
In accordance with Circular 05/2023, my Department advertises all competitions on eTenders above the national advertising threshold of €50,000 and, prior to 2023, all competitions above the then national advertising threshold of €25,000 in accordance with the predecessor Circular 10/2014. A cost benefit analysis is undertaken as part of the procurement process.
The Department of Finance is a predominantly policy-oriented Department with administration cost accounting for approximately 70% of the total budget. The administration cost relates primarily to payroll allowing for the majority of the Department’s output to be delivered based on internal capacity. The Department puts significant emphasis on the professional development of its employees and their ability to contribute effectively to the achievement of the Department's strategic goals.
The following information has been provided by the Bodies under the Aegis of the Department.
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General spent the following amounts on external consultant contracts in the past three years.
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€’s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
1,198,915
|
15
|
458,032
|
Y
|
|
2024
|
1,043,910
|
19
|
424,142
|
Y
|
|
2023
|
1,164,315
|
17
|
524,379
|
Y
|
Credit Review Office
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
41,234.32
|
10
|
11,125.00
|
N
|
|
2024
|
70,077.35
|
11
|
11,644.20
|
N
|
|
2023
|
59,167.80
|
16
|
9,655.50
|
N
|
The Credit Review Office uses external consultants to review cases in response to volumes The Office has one other external consultancy contract in place for management of social media advertising.
Tax Appeals Commission
In response to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that the Tax Appeals Commission engaged the services of one consultancy firm for the provision of internal audit services, as detailed in the below table.
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
35,918
|
1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2024
|
40,167
|
1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2023
|
28,580
|
1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Investor Compensation Company
External consultants are engaged on a limited and targeted basis where specialist expertise is required and is not available internally. The consultancy engagements included below relate to discrete, time-bound pieces of work.
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€’s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
205,405
|
2
|
196,549
|
Y
|
|
2024
|
20,910
|
1
|
20,910
|
Y
|
|
2023
|
27,035
|
1
|
27,035
|
Y
|
Credit Union Restructuring Board
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€’s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
5,100*
|
1
|
5,100
|
N
|
|
2024
|
15,555
|
2
|
10,455
|
N
|
|
2023
|
5,000
|
1
|
5,000
|
N
|
* Please note that data in respect of 2025 is subject to audit.
Note: The Credit Union Restructuring Board’s (ReBo) functions as a body ceased in March 2017 and it was operationally wound down in July 2017. A caretaker Board comprising two Department officials and an existing director (the Central Bank nominated non-voting director) was appointed from 1 August 2017 in order to meet the requirements of the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 and manage operations until ReBo is dissolved.
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025*
|
1,358,750
|
23
|
350,728
|
Y
|
|
2024
|
2,880,000
|
26
|
700,142
|
Y
|
|
2023
|
2,545,000
|
26
|
329,336
|
Y
|
* 2025: the 2025 amount is a year-to-date Nov-25. Dec-25 accounts are not yet finalised.
National Asset Management Agency
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’000)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€’000)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
141*
|
3
|
131*
|
Y
|
|
2024
|
1,107
|
3
|
1,102
|
Y
|
|
2023
|
396
|
2
|
379
|
Y
|
* Please note that data in respect of 2025 is draft and subject to audit.
Irish Banking Resolution Corporation
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s) *
|
No. of Contracts^
|
Largest (€’s)+
|
Internal Assessments?** (Y/N)
|
|
2025
|
10,694,665.77
|
26
|
3,419,756.96
|
N/A
|
|
2024
|
7,990,944.48
|
25
|
3,160,093.64
|
N/A
|
|
2023
|
11,384,595.16
|
28
|
2,872,372.00
|
N/a
|
Notes:
* Excluding VAT, represents amounts paid each year. Services are incurred based on hours worked rather than contract value
^ Basis of computation is number of firms
+ Largest spend based on a per firm basis
** The various parties providing these services are subject to Letters of Engagement between IBRC and the provider of the service.
Home Building Finance Ireland
|
-
|
Annual Spend (€’s)
|
No. of Contracts
|
Largest (€’s)
|
Internal Assessments? (Y/N)
|
|
To Nov-2025
|
123,000
|
5
|
64,000
|
Where relevant, HBFI assesses the ability to undertake work internally or whether external specialist advice is required
|
|
2024
|
193,000
|
7
|
67,000
|
|
|
2023
|
222,000
|
8
|
83,000
|
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal (IFSAT)
IFSAT did not have any expenditure on external consultants in the past three years.
Irish Fiscal Advisory Committee (IFAC)
IFAC did not have any expenditure on external consultants in the last three years (2023-2025).
Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA)
DDMBA did not have any expenditure on external consultants in the past three years.
Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC)
CUAC did not have any expenditure on external consultants in the past three years.
It was not possible for four of the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond to the information request in the time available and therefore I will provide the information to the Deputy in line with Standing Orders. These bodies are the Financial Services & Pensions Ombudsman, the National Treasury Management Agency, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Central Bank of Ireland.
