Moved Permanently

The document has moved here.

Apache/2.4.25 (Debian) Server at www.irishnews.com Port 80

OFMDFM spent £1m on consultancy & professional services - The Irish News

HTTP Status 404 – Not Found

HTTP Status 404 – Not Found

Type Status Report

Message Impossibile visualizzare la pagina

Description The origin server did not find a current representation for the target resource or is not willing to disclose that one exists.

Apache Tomcat/9.0.56

Political news

OFMDFM spent £1m on consultancy & professional services

TUV leader Jim Allister has called for more transparency from OFMDFM on professional costs

SUZANNE MCGONAGLE

03 November, 2015 01:00

ALMOST £1 million was spent last year on consultancy, legal and professional services by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

New figures reveal that the Stormont department's consultancy bill was almost £300,000, while other professional costs ran to more than £700,000 during 2014-15.

The latter included more than £200,000 in legal costs, and almost £50,000 in audit and accountancy fees.

However, the biggest share - £303,460 - was describe as 'other professional costs'.

The figures were released in answer to an assembly question from TUV leader Jim Allister.

He said that "more transparency" was needed from OFMDFM.

"The figures - especially that of the 'other professional costs' - are pretty hefty," he said.

"There needs to me more transparency in explaining what these costs involve.

"Obviously there's a role for consultants and we have seen over the years that these costs have been reduced.

"But there is more transparency needed for us to understand what the money is being spent on."

OFMDFM, which employs almost 400 civil servants, had last night still not responded to a request for details of the 'other professional costs'.

03 November, 2015 01:00 Political news

Today's horoscope

See a different horoscope:

Irish News

Donna Traynor tribunal case against BBC settled 'without any admission of liability'

Officers recover £2m of herbal cannabis hidden in trailer

Power NI and SSE cut their tariffs - but customers will still pay more

Belfast Chamber chief Simon Hamilton in surprise departure to head up new business consultancy

Toxic algae blamed for dog deaths in Co Fermanagh

Northern Ireland News

Man charged after footage shows ‘taxi driver threatening passenger with gun’

Hezbollah denies involvement in murder of Irish soldier Sean Rooney

Donna Traynor discrimination case against BBC settled, former news presenter believed to have received six figure sum

Former solicitor must pay £110,000 maintenance debt within a week

Marijuana street valued at around £2m by the PSNI seized near Belfast Harbour

A5 inquiry report could be ready this year

Veteran Sinn Féin councillor to be new Derry Strabane mayor

'Ask for Angela' initiative rolled out for Lionel Richie Belsonic gig, other summer concerts will follow

New book: unionism in state of 'perpetual insecurity'

Republic of Ireland News

Man charged in murder probe after woman found dead

Siptu water services strike called off

Taoiseach and Tanaiste stress ‘need’ for cooperation on subsea cables

Varadkar and Martin accept Central Bank warning on budget spending

Independent review of abortion laws should not be treated as “gospel” – Varadkar

Ireland wants to see justice for murdered peacekeeper in Lebanon – Tanaiste

Taoiseach hopes to see Stormont assembly restored by September

Budget airlines see higher passenger numbers in May

Ireland set to significantly miss emissions reduction targets, watchdog warns

Sport

Pep Guardiola can understand United’s motivation to end City’s treble hopes

Frankie Dettori lands Group One double for the Gosden team

Kerry look to get All-Ireland defence back on track against biggest rivals Cork

Longford and Carlow contest second spot behind Limerick in Tailteann Cup group stages

Arrest can nick the Derby for Frankie Dettori and the Gosdens

Opinion

Editorial: No going back on framework deal

Newton Emerson: Moment of truth for small hospitals

Patrick Murphy: Burying the truth with the past

Mary Kelly: Catholic Church decline irreversible unless discrimination against women stops

Magazine

Polymer knee joint ‘could improve quality of life of osteoarthritis patients’

British Soap Awards: Stars do battle for best dramatic moments

Peter Tatchell: Trashing of Schofield has more than a whiff of homophobia

Delivery apps charge double for some supermarket groceries – Which?

Man thanks optician after artery blockage detected in first eye test in 40 years

Life

Radio review: A week for book lovers to make Hay

Mary Kelly: Catholic Church decline irreversible unless discrimination against women stops

Jake O'Kane: The FBI should have known Irish pubs are the natural habitat of lying Irish ex-pats

Wine: Check out the latest offers and supermarket deals

TV Review: Kevin Moran's amazing All-Ireland winning and Man United soccer career will never be repeated

Business

Cemetery software firm PlotBox in £5m capital investment boost

Two-thirds of Northern Ireland housing stock 'falls short of energy efficiency targets'

Four manufacturing leaders inducted into Hall of Fame

Investment minister in Belfast ahead of economic summit in September

Family chosen by Setanta Construction to live rent-free in unique energy-efficient house

University hosts tourism summit marking industry's success in post-Good Friday Agreement era

Arts

Vote early and vote often: The Dundonald Liberation Army needs you

ArtBeat: Race in theatre, The MAC in the mix for a top award, playing for peace and Eamonn Holmes v Phillip Schofield

Noise Annoys: Neil Brogan, Teenage Fanclub, Ferna and NASA Assassin

Imelda May's partner Niall McNamee on new feature film

UK News

Polymer knee joint ‘could improve quality of life of osteoarthritis patients’

Peter Tatchell: Trashing of Schofield has more than a whiff of homophobia

Average cost of a stag or hen do in the UK or abroad revealed

Delivery apps charge double for some supermarket groceries – Which?

World News

More than 200 killed and 900 hurt after two trains derail in India

Death toll in India rail derailment climbs to at least 120

Passenger train derails in India, killing at least 50

Fort Bragg drops Confederate namesake as part of US army base rebranding

Italy border police ‘under investigation over shipwreck that killed 94 migrants’

Property

Demand for auction platform continues to rise this summer

Aim for right first time: BFT Ireland event highlights the drive to raise standards

There’s plenty of room at this inn alongside a unique opportunity to reinvigorate an old Irish favourite

Property: Quarry Bank home is a real treasure trove of imagination

Property: A chance to revitalise The Oaks in Carrickmacross

Sponsored articles

Why I’m ready to bend the knee for The Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Don’t miss out on government support to cut your energy bills

'Better to be safe than sorry' is more than just a cliché when it comes to cyber security - it's a prerequisite

Help change people's lives and build safer communities as a Custody Prison Officer

A team of property experts will be put under the limelight at iconic Belfast venue

301 Moved Permanently

Moved Permanently

The document has moved here.

Apache/2.4.25 (Debian) Server at www.irishnews.com Port 80