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Use of consultants

By: Dowdall, John | Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO)Language: Series: House of Commons Papers (Session 2003-04) ; No. 641 | Northern Ireland Assembly Papers ; No. 35/03Publication details: London: Stationery Office , 2004Description: 62p. Immediately available by clicking on the link belowISBN: 0102925356Subject(s): Public administration | Management consultants | Expenditure | Value for money | Consultancy services | Efficiency | Government | Civil Service | Financial management | Government use of consultantsDDC classification: 658.46 | 352.373 Online resources: click here Summary: Government departments in Northern Ireland have spent about £68 million on consultancy services over the last five years in order to procure a range of advisory and support services, in areas such as management and finance, human resources and environmental advice. This report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office examines the quality of procurement processes used by departments, the adequacy of guidance developed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) on obtaining value for money in the use of consultants, and whether the DFP is fulfilling its monitoring role and responsibilities successfully. Findings include that there is considerable scope for more rigorous implementation by departments of the DFP guidance (such as the Framework Agreement), particularly in terms of appraisal and tendering procedures, project control and management, post completion assessment and evaluation, and sharing good practice across the civil service. The DFP needs to update and enhance its guidance to take account of current best practice in procurement, and to develop its management information database to help it better carry out its monitoring and audit functions.
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Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode
Book - Standard loan Dundonald House Library 658.46 NOR (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available F10765
Electronic Resource Dundonald House Library ONLINE E-COPY (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available DOMK1

(C) NIAO. Available from www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

Government departments in Northern Ireland have spent about £68 million on consultancy services over the last five years in order to procure a range of advisory and support services, in areas such as management and finance, human resources and environmental advice. This report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office examines the quality of procurement processes used by departments, the adequacy of guidance developed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) on obtaining value for money in the use of consultants, and whether the DFP is fulfilling its monitoring role and responsibilities successfully. Findings include that there is considerable scope for more rigorous implementation by departments of the DFP guidance (such as the Framework Agreement), particularly in terms of appraisal and tendering procedures, project control and management, post completion assessment and evaluation, and sharing good practice across the civil service. The DFP needs to update and enhance its guidance to take account of current best practice in procurement, and to develop its management information database to help it better carry out its monitoring and audit functions.

Northern Ireland Audit Office

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