Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

Specifically on the issue of public procurement, I refer the Deputy to the action plan for jobs. Actions 3.49 to 3.54, inclusive, relate to pre-qualification criteria, the establishment of a mechanism to allow SMEs to engage with contracting authorities on issues of concern, the establishment by Enterprise Ireland of advisers and mentors to help client companies to prepare better public procurement opportunities, encouraging more SMEs to register on the Government's e-tenders website to enable forthcoming procurement opportunities to be brought to their attention, encouraging a more flexible approach to tendering by focusing on innovative solutions to procurement needs rather than specific products or services, and identifying a number of key procurement projects that will provide subcontracting and supply chain opportunities for SMEs.

In terms of specific actions, a round table discussion on the advantages of innovative procurement through the procurement innovation initiative organised by the Department took place on 2 April 2012. It was attended by senior procurement officials in public bodies and by the Minister, Deputy Bruton. A number of SMEs presented examples of innovative solutions they are already providing to public bodies. Some public bodies have indicated specific, upcoming procurement projects that would be suitable for the procurement innovation initiative. They included the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, the Department of Defence, the Health Service Executive, HSE, An Post and the ESB. Given the time constraints I will refer the Deputy to the specific actions in that regard.

InterTradeIreland also organised popular "Go-2-Tender" training workshops. The workshops give SMEs the skills to tender successfully for public sector contracts on an all-island basis. Three were held in the past three months, involving more than 70 SMEs, including one held in Cork. A further three workshops are due to be held in Enniskillen, Armagh and Waterford before the end of July. An advanced "Go-2-Tender" workshop was held in April-May and another is planned for later this year. There is constant engagement by Enterprise Ireland with contracting authorities to raise awareness of innovative ideas and capabilities of SMEs to provide innovative solutions to their specific needs. We have moved well beyond the 2009 report, and the action plan for jobs has clear action deliverables in terms of public procurement.

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