Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the procedures in place to enable small and medium enterprises to compete for public sector contracts and deliver value for money to the taxpayer following consultations with various stakeholders up to 20 June 2007; when the report on improving SME access to public procurement will be published by the national public procurement policy unit; when its recommendations will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2382/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Government recognises the contribution and the value for money that small businesses can provide in public procurement and encourages participation to the greatest extent possible. The consultation with stakeholders carried out during 2007 was undertaken to identify the issues that impacted on the small business sector in the current public procurement market. It did not envisage publication of a report; the purpose was to invite responses which identified perceived problems and consider possible practical solutions.

Significant measures have been introduced which make it easier to bid for public contracts. A national public procurement website (www.etenders.gov.ie) was developed by my Department in recent years where all significant public sector contracts are now advertised. This central facility, which is available free of charge, increases transparency and greatly facilitates access to public sector contracts for all suppliers. Figures show a steady increase in the number of registered suppliers competing for business. The small and medium enterprise (SME) sector has been actively targeted through a marketing campaign and suppliers now receive free email alerts to tender notices of interest to them. Two workshops were organised by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) during 2007 to highlight opportunities and inform suppliers on up to date developments on the public tendering website. The Unit also participates regularly in SME public procurement events arranged by other stakeholders, such as other public sector agencies and business representative organisations.

Recent guidelines issued by the NPPPU on implementing new framework arrangements, involving aggregation of requirements, encourages authorities to ensure that where smaller enterprises can meet requirements or compete for particular lots, the terms of the framework facilitate their inclusion. Further measures to address the issues identified in consultation with stakeholders, such as other possible measures to simplify the public tendering process, will be undertaken as appropriate.