Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Finance the strategies he has in place to ensure that with more centralised and globalised purchasing of supplies and equipment that local suppliers here are not disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18366/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Procurement Service (NPS) is cognisant of the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises and the fact that they are a very important part of the national economy. It is recognised also that public procurement can be an important source of business for SMEs.

It goes without saying that the NPS must adhere to the National and EU procurement Directives. However, before undertaking any major procurement project or entering a new procurement category, the NPS will undertake an examination of the market. The market review will establish the most effective approach to take.

Although the NPS views aggregation of requirements across the public sector as a significant contributor to delivering better value, the aggregation of demand is not suitable for all markets and categories. The NPS will make use of the optimum strategy for the particular market, and, where it is deemed appropriate and practical, the NPS will use framework agreements, or divide requirements into lots, when tendering for goods and services.

It is hoped that the standardisation of tender documents across the public service will make it easier for SMEs to meet the requirements of public bodies.

The NPS will support SMEs through its education and guidance strategies, assisting SMEs to understand what is required of them under the tendering procedures.

It will ensure also that the selection and award criteria do not unduly disadvantage SMEs, by using proportionate and appropriate selection and award criteria.

The NPS will support the procurement of quality goods and services in line with Government policy on sustainability, and will support innovation wherever possible.

The NPS is in the process of contracting for a new eTenders solution, which will encourage contracting authorities to advertise lower value contracts on the website, which it is hoped will provide further opportunities for SMEs.