There has been an excessive dependence on consultants in the Civil Service, and hiring consultants should be the exception and not the norm, the Minister for Health said yesterday.
Ms Harney confirmed yesterday that her approval would have to be sought before any future consultants were appointed in her department.
"Consultants have to be the exception and not the norm, and I think in recent times we've seen an excessive dependence on consultants. I've certainly decided that as far the health services are concerned in the Department of Health that ministerial approval has to be sought for the appointment of consultants from here on in."
The Minister said she had taken the decision in light of the "huge dependency" on consultancy and added that it was a matter for each department to decide whether there should be a total review of the practice of employing outside consultants.
"It's a matter for every minister to decide how to run their own department. I'm not going to make rules for others but I think generally as a Government we have to ensure that where consultants are appointed it's only because they're necessary and that there's no alternative way or there's no in-house expertise."
Following the controversy over the introduction of the PPARs computer system that was suspended this week, Ms Harney said she expected a full evaluation within two months.
"The jury is out in relation to the system. Prof Drumm said yesterday that until the evaluation is completed he's not is a position, or the HSE are not in a position, to say whether or not they will continue to roll out this particular piece of technology."
Ms Harney made her comments ahead of a Progressive Democrats lunch in Limerick where she urged public-sector employees to embrace change.
"We have seen the huge change that has taken place in Ireland, mainly driven by investment in the private sector. We've got to see the same spirit of change throughout the public service," she said.