€700k for ‘growth strategy’ consultants

The Department of Finance is putting aside €700,00 for economic consultants to implement the Government’s ‘medium term growth strategy’ announced before Christmas, the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan told the Oireachtas Finance Committee yesterday.

Two sums of €350,000 will be spread across two divisions of the Department of Finance to retain consultants over the next year to work on this strategy document, said the minister.

The full allocation of money may not be used, but it was important it was available, otherwise there would have to be a request for extra spending during the year in case it was needed, he added