Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Finance the average percentage weighting given to the recruitment of local labour and of unemployed people in respect of the criteria for the selection of successful bids under public procurement processes in 2008. [12258/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the EU Treaties and relevant Directives, public procurement policy prohibits the use of discriminatory criteria in the award of public works contracts. The inclusion of local labour and unemployment considerations as award criteria would be considered discriminatory. Accordingly such arrangements do not form part of National Public Procurement Policy.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to alter public procurement rules in order that a greater weighting is given to price. [12260/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under public procurement rules contracts are awarded on the basis of the lowest priced or the most economically advantageous tender. Economic advantage is assessed on the basis of a number of criteria related to the subject of the contract, for example, quality, technical merit, running costs, after sales service, delivery timeframes, as well, of course, as tendered price. The appropriate criteria and weightings are specified by the contracting authority concerned, having regard to the requirements and characteristics of the contract. Price will naturally be an important criterion and I am satisfied that it is appropriately reflected by contracting authorities under the existing rules.