John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a company (details supplied) was paid €27,299.11 by Wexford Vocational Education Committee under an invoice dated 30 July 2010 for work carried out in 2009; the reason the invoice was not received by the VEC until 2011; if the work went out to tender and if so the number of legal firms requested to tender; the cost of legal fees to Wexford VEC in each year 2008 to 2009 and 2010 to date 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27693/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Details of the specific case to which the Deputy refers are not readily available to my Department, as such transactions are a matter for Wexford Vocational Education Committee itself. Accordingly, my Department has requested the information from the VEC and this will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Expenditure on legal fees in Co Wexford VEC in 2008 and 2009, as recorded in the VEC's audited accounts, was €45,637 and €75,168 respectively. Information regarding legal fees in 2010 and 2011 is not available. However, my Department has contacted the VEC and will also forward this data to the Deputy as soon as possible.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the internal audit report by the VSSU for County Wexford Vocational Education Committee (details supplied) has been accepted by the VEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27694/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department was informed by the Chairperson of Co. Wexford Vocational Education Committee that the Committee had accepted the findings and recommendations of an internal audit report signed on 19th December 2011 by the person to whom the Deputy refers.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procurement arrangements in place at vocational education committee level for the purchase of legal services; the threshold above which there must be a tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27695/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is a basic principle of public procurement, including for legal services, that a competitive process should be used unless there are justifiably exceptional circumstances. The type of competitive process can vary depending on the size and characteristics of the contract to be awarded. For contracts or purchases below the EU threshold values less formal procedures may be appropriate.

It is the responsibility of a Vocational Education Committee to satisfy itself that the requirements for public procurement are adhered to and to be fully conversant with the current value thresholds for the application of EU and national procurement rules. VEC management, and ultimately the Committee, should ensure that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with procurement policy and guidelines.