3.9.5 The Committee notes that although the number of consultants in the DCS' employ had been reduced, payments to consultants had increased from R678 million in 2011/12 to R825 million in 2012/13. This increased expenditure is of concern, particularly given the findings of the AGSA's 2012 audit of the use of consultants by certain government departments between 2008/9 and 2010/11. The DCS disputed some of the findings, but failed to provide the Committee with reports to the contrary.