Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputies will note form the now circulated tabular statement that some of the contracts awarded are small. One contract awarded to Print Stations was for business cards, letterheads and complimentary slips at a cost of €258. Another contract awarded to New Oceans was for information booklets, headed stationery and business cards at a cost of €13,785. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation does not award large contracts and relies in the main on the Government Supplies Agency and National Procurement Service in this regard.

A review of tendering and procurement in regard to State contracts is ongoing. We are all aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in terms of accessing contracts owing to the change in environment or in their individual circumstances. It may be that a particular person does not have recognised skill capabilities having been laid off and set up his or her own business as a result of which he or she may not have a track record in his or her own right. This matter is being examined.

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