About $21.75 million has been put aside in the 2009-10 fiscal year for financial consultancy services, up 128% on the current year's $9.5 million figure.

Permanent Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Treasury) Stanley Ying told legislators today the money will cover advisory services for the future financial arrangements with Hong Kong Disneyland and major infrastructural projects, including new railway lines.

In 2007-08 $14.9 million was incurred for financial consultancy services, including provisions for the consultancy for the railway merger.

Mr Ying said the appointment of under secretaries and political assistants has strengthened the secretary's support in undertaking political work, communicating with LegCo and other stakeholders like District Councils and political parties, and explaining government policies to the media and the public.