The Department of the Taoiseach hired 70 consultants, at a cost of €2.8 million, over a nine-year period, the Dáil was told.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said this represented an average of about eight per annum, with some relating to the period for the year before and during the EU presidency.
"In departmental terms, there is not a great deal. In the social policy area, surrounding social partnership issues in the main, there are eight."
He said the Civil Service modernisation programme, which was the "big one", accounted for 28 consultancies.
Mr Ahern said it was the task of every department to determine whether they were overusing the system.
"I hope that my department does not. However, at least there is some focus to the effect that if it happens, it occurs sparingly and under the two categories I have mentioned: either to enhance an existing system or develop a new one; or where an outside appraisal is required to determine whether a particular initiative is necessary."
Replying to Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) he said that the more internal staff who could do the work, the better.
"My department is not large, with just over 220 people working in it.
"However, we try hard not to become involved in consultancies, unless something meaningful is required."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said one of the most expensive recent contracts issued by the department was the €500,000 spent on the evaluation of the strategic management initiative.
Mr Ahern said the work on this project, which really commenced in 1992, was centred in his department for the entire Government.
He said the work involved evaluating systems for the management of finances, human resources and other issues.
