Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23443/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The expenditure incurred by my Department's IT Unit in 2010 was €1.334m on capital and €1.783m on current. There is provision of €2m for capital and €2.395m for current expenditure in 2011.

The purchase of IT equipment by my Department is on the basis of a competitive tendering process, conducted in compliance with national and EU rules. There are framework arrangements in place, managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and used by my Department, for the purchase of personal computers (including notebooks) and printers. These frameworks maximise volume discounts and allow government departments and agencies to operate much simpler procurement processes for such equipment. The method used to procure IT equipment not covered by the framework arrangements, is determined by the estimated value of the contract. It is recommended that three quotes be obtained for purchases less than €5,000. A minimum of three written quotes must be obtained in respect of purchases between €5,000 and €10,000. Contracts in excess of €10,000 are advertised on the eTenders website. In addition, contracts in excess of €125,000 must also be advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union website.

Bodies under the aegis of my Department have budgets for the purchase of IT equipment and are obliged to comply with national and EU procurement rules. In accordance with the 2009 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Chairperson of each state body must furnish to the relevant Minister in conjunction with the annual report and accounts of the body a comprehensive report to include an affirmation that 'all appropriate procedures for financial reporting, internal audit, travel, procurement and asset disposal are being carried out'.