Spending spree: Ministers approve increased bill for consultants

MINISTERS have signed off on a big increase in spending on consultants, despite slashing €4 billion from the public purse.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said he wanted to halve the bill for PR, advertising and management consultants, but it will continue to rise in 2010.

Health Minister Mary Harney’s department’s management consultant bill is to soar by 20% next year to nearly €1.2 million.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan’s department will see costs rocket by even more, 30%, to €1.5m

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin, who presided over deep budget cuts in welfare spending, has approved a 15% increase in consultants’ fees to €1.3m.

Labour front bench spokesman Ciarán Lynch said: “In July 2008 Brian Lenihan promised to halve the spend on consultants, advertising and public relations. Not only has he and his government failed miserably in that regard, they are actually increasing spending when just about everything else is being slashed.”