Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Department had to hit the ground running with this and there was not time to tick all the boxes. However, much of this will become more long term. In situations such as this, when there is time to undertake proper procurement processes, along with looking at the quality of services being provided, including the quality of food and so on, which is an issue some of the Deputies raised, does the Department look at the employment practices of the companies it engages? These are substantial contracts. Is that examined? For example, does the Department consider whether companies pay a living wage or allow collective bargaining? Does it consider whether a company has a track record of union busting or whether many cases for unfair dismissal and so on have been taken against it successfully? Are such matters examined?