Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the local authorities are require to advertise for the procurement of horticultural supplies and services; if he is satisfied that these services are being advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27391/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Public Procurement Guidelines issued by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform apply to all public sector bodies, including local authorities, and would include contracts for horticultural supplies and services.

The Guidelines provide that supplies or services less than €5,000 in value may be purchased on the basis of verbal quotes from one or more competitive suppliers and those between €5,000 and €25,000 in value on the basis of responses to specifications sent by fax or email to at least three suppliers or service providers. Contracts with an estimated value of €25,000 or more are requested to be advertised on the national public procurement website etenders.gov.ie. While contracting authorities are not required to advertise on this website for requirements below €25,000, they are encouraged to do so if the anticipated response would not be disproportionate, having regard to the value of the goods and services. Depending on the nature of the requirement, it may be appropriate to supplement national website advertising in other media, trade publications and/or other websites

Contracting authorities are also advised to work closely with the National Procurement Service to promote efficiencies and economies in contracting for supplies and general services. I have no information as regards any non-compliance with these requirements to advertise prior to procurement.