Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of Government-run canteens operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; the number of commercially-run cafes or restaurants that are operating in Government buildings in his Department and agencies; if there is a policy in his Department and agencies to source food locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26406/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department provides facilities for a canteen service for staff in a number of locations i.e. in Longford, Sligo, Letterkenny, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Dublin and Kilmainham, Dublin. However, it is not directly involved in the provision of meals or in the running of these facilities. Arrangements for the provision of services in these facilities are put in place by voluntary committees of staff in the locations in question. As a rule this involves the appointment of a commercial company to provide the service under the committee's general supervision.

The procurement arrangements of these companies are not subject to direction by the Department and, accordingly, details of the food sources are not available. There are no commercially run cafés or restaurants operating in the agencies under the remit of the Department.