Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the names of all companies which have provided services to the then Northern Area Health Board under the headings building construction, building maintenance, mechanical and electrical, painting and decorating, grounds maintenance and grass cutting, catering and provision of stationery for each year from 2000 to 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22025/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the guidelines which have been issued by the Health Service Executive to area offices governing the award of contracts for the provision of services; the tendering process to be adhered to; the value for money guidelines which have been issued; the internal auditing arrangements which has been put in place to ensure compliance with good governance principles; the penalties which are in place for breach of the procedures mentioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22026/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 6 of the Health Act, 2004 states that the Health Service Executive is a corporate body. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is satisfactory that an employee of the Health Service Executive hiring outsider contractors can award a contract of less than €5,000 after receiving one quotation for the work and that three quotations are required if the contract is worth between €5,000 and €50,000 and that a formal tendering process is only required if the contract is worth more than the €50,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22027/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HSE Procurement Policy, which was published earlier this year, states that it is a key requirement that "competitive tendering or other forms of open competition shall be the normal practice except in exceptional circumstances as set out in the corporate policy statement".

The HSE procurement procedures are broadly in line with the indicative values set out in the revised guidelines, drafted by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) of the Department of Finance in consultation with the Government Contracts Committee and other participants in the public procurement market.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange for details on the HSE's procurement procedures to be provided to him directly.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the guidelines which were issued to the health boards in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area regarding public procurement and tendering arrangements for the provision of services to the boards within the ERHA remit by outside contractors; the arrangements which were in place within her Department to ensure that these guidelines were adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22028/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive (an area of which was formerly called Eastern Regional Health Authority) is governed by public law, and as such is obliged to comply with the requirements of public procurement law. Public procurement law requires adherence to the appropriate European Union Procurement Directives. In addition, the National Public Procurement Policy Unit of the Department of Finance issues national procurement policy and guidance material, which is available on the website — www.etenders.gov.ie. While relevant information is freely available on this website, the Department also routinely brings any new developments to the attention of the Health Service Executive.

The HSE introduced a National Procurement Policy earlier this year which facilitates compliance with official public procurement policy and is in the process of establishing a new office with specific responsibility for Procurement. The HSE is currently recruiting for the post of Head of Procurement.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 84: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the arrangements which were in place in her Department to ensure that value for money was achieved by the then health boards in awarding contracts for the provision of services to the boards in the years 2000 to the establishment of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22029/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Like the Health Service Executive, the former health boards were governed by public law, and as such were obliged to comply with the requirements of public procurement law. Public procurement law requires adherence to the appropriate European Union Procurement Directives.

The Health Service Procurement Policy, which was published in 2000, had as its objectives to: ensure that materials management was developed in line with best practice; ensure that procurement practices complied fully with statutory regulations; ensure that savings and performance targets were met. The policy was also governed by a number of core values relating to the purchasing of supplies, works and services and included: achieving efficiency, effectiveness and best value for money in terms of overall life cycle costs; customer focus; dealing with quality suppliers, contractors and service providers; operating in a fair, open, transparent and non-discriminatory manner in the marketplace. This policy was accepted by the health boards, voluntary hospitals and direct funded homes. My Department also reminded the health boards regularly of their obligations to ensure that the spending of public funds should always conform to value for money principles.