Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on criticisms made by Health Service Executive internal auditors on the manner in which computer consultancy services were commissioned for the PPARS payroll system and that it was maintained that official public procurement policy was not followed strictly enough; the steps which have been put in place to ensure that these criticisms will be addressed; if appropriate guidelines will be published and adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21315/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The HSE CEO has supported the recommendations of the Internal Audit Unit's review and report in respect of PPARS' recruitment of the companies providing computer consultancy services (technical contractors) and acknowledged that deviation from official public procurement policy is not acceptable.

The recommendations of the Internal Audit Unit's report are being implemented and together with the introduction of HSE's National Procurement Policy which came into effect earlier this year will facilitate compliance with official public procurement policy. Furthermore the CEO of the HSE has asked the National Director of Finance (HSE) to ensure all necessary procurement and financial procedures are being followed by the PPARS project office.

The following specific measures are being taken following a review of tax clearance procedures around procurements for computer consultancy services: 1) A designated Manager must be formally appointed for each major contract. 2) Tax Clearance status must be established prior to the award of a contract. 3) The recommendation to award a contract must include a certification by the contract manager that all policies, procedures and other requirements (including tax clearance) have been complied with in the tender process.

Finally the public procurement process requires notification of award of contract to be published thereby giving transparency to each procurement.