Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

9:30 am

Mr. Kevin McCarthy:

In both of those cases, as well as in a number of wider ones, we approached a number of facilities management companies. Ultimately, only two were able to meet our needs. It was a directly negotiated contract in both cases. Obviously, that is not compliant with procurement rules, but it was a factor of the emergency response in which we were involved. We are trying to procure and bring on stream additional accommodation daily to meet the demand that has been arising. The majority of our accommodation is serviced accommodation. In other words, it is hotel accommodation where there is a provider on site.