Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve access to State contracts for Irish firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47712/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Under EU and national rules, the public procurement of works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular bidders on grounds of nationality and there are legal remedies which may be used against any public body infringing these rules.

The reform of the procurement system across the public service is a key element of the reform programme for the public service. The fragmented procurement arrangements across the public service have enabled suppliers to charge different public service bodies different prices for the same goods and services. Public Procurement savings are necessary to enable public service organisations deliver much needed services within the tighter budgets that they must now operate.

However, I would point out that reforms in this area are being carried out in a manner that recognises the importance of SMEs. The Government acknowledges the significant role that SMEs play in the Irish economy and is committed to ensuring that SMEs are fully engaged with public sector procurement and the opportunities presenting. Circular 10/14 issued earlier this year by my Department is aimed at opening up opportunities for small businesses that want to tender for public contracts and also to ensure that engaging with government procurement is easy and low cost. This guidance set out positive measures that contracting authorities are to take to promote the involvement of smaller enterprises as well as highlighting practices that are to be avoided because they can hinder small businesses in competing for public contracts.

From 1 August of this year, public bodies are required under Circular 10/14 to publish all Contract Award Notices over €25,000 on the eTenders website on completion of the award. It is intended that this additional information will allow improved reporting by the Office of Govenment Procurement in relation to public contract awards.

In addition, the Office of Government Procurement supports the work of Enterprise Ireland and InterTrade Ireland in building awareness of public procurement and supporting training for small suppliers in bidding for public contracts. For example, this year the Office of Government Procurement supported two "Meet the Buyer" events in Belfast and Dublin which were attended by approximately 1,600 suppliers. The Office of Government Procurement also supported the 'Go 2 Tender' programme run by InterTrade Ireland which was attended by approximately 400 SME's.This year InterTrade Ireland also delivered a programme on consortia building to assist SME's to jointly bid for state contracts.

The OGP will continue to work with suppliers to ensure that winning government business is done in a fair, transparent and accessible way and to ensure that Government procurement policies are business friendly.