Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, under Article 19, the social pillar of public procurement EU directive, the percentage and monetary value of public procurement activity being channelled through directive 19 which would be of advantage to people with disabilities; the frequency with which directive 19 has been employed in Ireland; and how aware employers are about directive 19. [14815/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Department of Health has responsibility for policy in relation to rehabilitative training and sheltered work. Responsibility for the delivery of these services rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE). Rehabilitative training and sheltered work is provided largely in accredited training centres that are run by the HSE or by service providers contracted by the HSE and designated sheltered workshops. Rehabilitative training focuses on the development of an individual's life skills, social skills and basic work skills with the objective of enhancing the trainee's quality of life and general work capacity.

The award of public contracts is governed by EU Treaty principles and Directives on public procurement. Article 19 of the EU Directive 2004/18 allows contracting authorities to reserve certain contracts for specific sheltered workshops where most of the employees concerned are people with disabilities that would prevent them from carrying on an occupation under normal conditions. Specifying such conditions is a matter for the contracting authority concerned, having regard to the foregoing considerations. Details of individual contracts or indeed sub-contracts are not held centrally.

In relation to developing awareness of this Article, the National Procurement Service, offer training and support to buyers and suppliers in order to raise awareness of public procurement opportunities for sheltered workshops.