The Department of Agriculture has spent in the region of €5m on external consultancy and other service fees in the last three years.

Responding to a parliamentary question in the Dáil last week, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney confirmed that his Department spent €4.8m on external agencies between 2011 and 2013.

“My Department uses private contractors, consultants and agencies to provide certain services when such an approach is more cost effective. This can include services such as specialised laboratory services, computer services, legal advice or independent auditing services.

The total expenditure for these services was €1,956,784 in 2011, €1,192,211 in 2012 and €1,698,615 in 2013,” Minister Coveney said.

Some of the larger fees paid out include €509,830 in 2011, €514,169 in 2012 and €514,169 in 2013 – all paid to accountancy firm Deloitte for the certifying of Department’s accounts.