PUBLIC scrutiny of the cost of running Stormont and its departments intensified this week following the announcement that millions had been spent on outside consultants and MLAs expenses.
DARD has not escaped the attention and this week admitted to spending almost £4 million on outside consulatants in the five-year period 2004-2009.
Responding to a question posed by the Assembly Agriculture Committee member Patsy McGlone, DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew released the total figures which included a peak expenditure of almost £2 million in the year 2004/05.
DARD itself operates with a budget of around £240 million per year, with 2,900 employees in administration and front line services.
According to the latest farm census figures there is a total of 26,000 farm businesses registered in Northern Ireland, resulting in one DARD staff member available for every nine farm businesses here.
Stormont's running costs and in-house spending are to be investigated in order to try and save the Executive money.
DARD said the type of consultants used was dependent upon business need: "In each case, consultants are procured in accordance with Public Sector procurement rules, as defined in detailed guidance issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).
"The nature of work undertaken for DARD by consultants has included the completion of Economic Appraisals, reviews of industry support arrangements, post scheme evaluations, development of IT projects, reviews of policies and strategies, accountancy support and research projects."

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