Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has issued guidelines to principals of schools informing them that they can only purchase their information technology equipment from multinational companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5959/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that in November last year I published the 'Smart Schools = Smart Economy' report, which is the new action plan for integrating ICT in schools. The Report, which was produced by the Joint Advisory Group, which I established earlier last year, builds on the earlier Strategy Group report, 'Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools'. As a first step in implementing the recommendations of the report, €22m in ICT grants was issued to primary schools in November last.

In order to ensure value for money and to make the procurement process easier for schools, schools have been instructed to use National Framework Agreements, where such agreements are in place. Four distinct National Framework Agreements, for the supply of specific categories of ICT equipment to schools, have been set up by the Department of Finance. These Frameworks are used to facilitate greater flexibility in the acquisition of goods and services, and support more responsive pricing mechanisms that deliver better value for money.

The categories in question are PCs, Notebooks (laptops), Mono Laser Printers and Colour Laser Printers. The number of Suppliers on each Framework varies; the number of suppliers for PCs is five, and for Notebooks it is six, and all suppliers were selected following an open competitive tendering exercise, in compliance with EU and national procurement rules.

In the interests of achieving best value for money, schools are required to use the Framework Agreements for the purchase of ICT equipment under the relevant categories. Schools can run a mini competitive tendering process by a simple email "Request for Quotation" to a single central email address, setting out their requirements. In addition to the core products of PCs and Notebooks, schools can also request quotations for associated services such as installation.

While delivering competitive prices, the Frameworks are also all covered by a three year on-site next business day warranty and support. Operation of the Frameworks is governed by Vendor Participation Agreements, through which schools are able to benefit from a range of favourable terms and conditions, agreed in the aggregate for eligible non-commercial public sector bodies. For procurement where Framework Agreements do not exist, schools are required to carry out normal competitive tendering processes under general public procurement rules.

All schools who received ICT grants in November 2009 have been issued with a letter outlining the requirements to purchase from the Frameworks and to comply with public procurement rules. Additional specific guidance for schools regarding procurement and the Frameworks is available through the National Centre for Technology in Education.