Welsh Conservatives have called for greater scrutiny of the amount of money spent on surveys commissioned by the Welsh Government.
Contract costs vary significantly according to information obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.
While a Severn Tolls and Fieldwork survey and an Impact Assessment of London 2012 Games cost 750 pounds and 4,813 pounds respectively, other surveys have cost considerably more:
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2011 - £42,840
Networks Mid Term Evaluation - £29,450
Business Information Helpline Survey - £20,700
Evaluation of Primary School Pilot Counselling Service - £84,912 (total evaluation cost)
North Wales Assembly Member and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Antoinette Sandbach obtained the information. She said:
"Many of these contract costs are significant and taxpayers will rightly question whether value for money is being achieved.
"While there is a clear need to engage and consult with a wide variety of people and organisations on a wide variety of issues, there is also a clear need for transparency and cost-effectiveness.
"In the current economic climate, it is essential that the Finance Minister allocates money openly and effectively."
Shadow Minister for Finance, Paul Davies AM, said:
"While public engagement is an absolute necessity, the allocation of hundreds of thousands of pounds to these surveys requires greater scrutiny.
"These are substantial costs that could finance additional nurses, teachers or business support."
