SPECIALIST individuals and companies have been used extensively by the Isle of Man government in the early days of setting up the Department of Economic Development, statistics have revealed.

In response to a Tynwald question yesterday from Kate Beecroft (LVP, South Douglas), the department’s Minister John Shimmin said it had been considered “appropriate to increase the use of specialists to supplement the skills and knowledge of existing staff.”

The cost is currently running at around £100,000 a month, plus expenses and marketing costs of around £30,000 a month, more than half of which is related to marketing.

However, a number of individuals and professional organisations on the Island are also donating their skills free of charge to assist the department.

Mr Shimmin said the decision to pay some companies and individuals had resulted in limited term contracts being awarded in various sectors, including success stories such as e-gaming.

Companies and individuals on the payroll are as follows:-

Uncommon Knowledge Limited; The Marketing Partnership Limited; Michael Charlton Consulting Limited; Garth Kimber; Institute of Space Commerce; Mansat; Hedqvist Consulting Limited; Terry Toohey; Weber Shandwick; Redpoint PR Limited; Chamber of Commerce Partnership; Caroline Halls; Lansons; Maclir Consulting Limited; Wardell Armstrong Limited; David Holgate QC; Peter Brett Associates LLP; North West Aerospace Alliance; Cloud 9 Limited; Capital Select Limited; Construction Forum.

Companies and organisations supporting the department but not being paid are as follows:-

Chamber of Commerce numerous Committees; Council of Voluntary Organisations; Employers’ Federation; ICT Sector Skills Group (Hansard, PDMS, MT, Cable & Wireless, Domicilium, RBSI, Skanco); Engineering Sector Skills Group (Swagelok, Ronaldsway Aircraft, GE, Manx Engineers, Strix, MEA); Construction Sector Skills Group (Employers’ Federation, Stewart Clague Services, Ardern & Druggan, NK Construction); Manx Aerospace Cluster; Manx Hospitality Partnership; Isle of Man Shipping Association; Yacht Forum; Fund Managers Association; Bankers’ Association; Isle of Man Captive Association; Manx Insurance Association; Association of Corporate Service Providers; Association of Pension Scheme Providers; Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners; Law Society; Institute of Financial Services; Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators; Securities and Investment Institute; Society of Chartered Accountants; Chartered Institute of Taxation; Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; Chartered Institution of Insurance and Financial Services.

Mr Shimmin added, “The Department is enormously grateful to the many individuals and bodies who give their time freely to assist in developing the economy of the Island.

“The list is not exhaustive, but reflects many of the organisations that help us to understand the issues facing their particular sectors and to find solutions which will help to maintain and create employment opportunities for our people.

“In these challenging times it will remain vital that we safeguard the excellent relationships between government and the private sector.”