Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Finance

Consultancy Contracts

10:00 am

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30059/10]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, it is national policy to advertise public contracts, to invite tenders and award contracts in a process that is transparent and achieves best value for money. Under EU rules, contracts for supplies and services above certain thresholds must be advertised EU wide. The thresholds are currently €125,000 for the Central Government sector and €193,000 for most other authorities. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds of nationality and there are legal sanctions which may be used against any public body infringing these rules.

The Government recognises the important business opportunities that public service contracts represent for business enterprises and encourages participation to the greatest extent possible. My Department has been examining issues impacting on the small and medium business sector in the current public procurement market and, in consultation with the recently established National Procurement Service within the Office of Public Works, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other stakeholders in the public procurement market, has developed guidance for contracting authorities on measures to facilitate SME participation in the public procurement market. This will be issued shortly.

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