Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the new procurement rules which can result in schools being required to purchase their stationary supplies from one national supplier notwithstanding the possibility of purchasing from local suppliers for a similar or better price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4197/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The National Procurement Service is focused on developing centralised arrangements for the procurement of goods and services used commonly across the public service nationwide. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency; and enhanced service levels. Within the Education Sector, the mandatory arrangement relating to stationery currently applies to the Higher Education and VEC Sectors. I understand that the National Procurement Service is working on a new contract for stationery which will be in place from April 2013. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns on this matter. My Department is currently working on a procurement circular for schools and the content of this will be the subject of discussion with the National Procurement Service and the school management bodies.