John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and the date of each tender competition issued by the central finance unit of the Irish Prison Service for each year 2009, 2010 and 2011; the purpose of each; the outcome of each competition tender; the duration between issue of initial notice and contract award date; the number of persons employed in the unit and their grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2395/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1I wish to inform the Deputy that it is not possible, in the time available, to provide a full breakdown of all the information sought. My Department is in the process of collating this information which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

However, I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that a Central Procurement Unit was established in March, 2007. There are currently seven staff working within the Unit overseen by a Director with responsibility for Finance and Procurement. The structure of the Unit is 1 Assistant Principal Officer, 2 Higher Executive Officers, 3 Executive Officers and 1 Staff Officer, all of whom received training in procurement procedures.

The Irish Prison Service is committed to the principles of fair and transparent procurement and achieving value for money, subject to the overriding requirement to ensure the service is delivered in a safe and secure manner.