Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the delay in enacting legislation on including social clauses in major State-local authority construction contracts. [47888/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, on 17 October 2014, the Government supported in principle the Second Stage of the Private Member's Social Clauses in Public Procurement Bill 2013, which was put forward by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, and sees significant merit in developing a social clause framework where such clauses are applied in a targeted manner.  The Government did not oppose the Bill.

Whilst Government sees the merit in using social clauses in particular circumstances, it is important that contracting authorities are not compelled to use them on every contract particularly where their deployment may disproportionately impact on SMEs bidding for public contracts.  It is for this reason that an interdepartmental group has been set up by the Office of Government Procurement which is considering the sectors where such clauses might be implemented.  The deliberations of this group will therefore be important in forming the Government's response to Deputy McDonald's Bill.

Much work needs to be done before the Private Member's Bill can become a viable piece of legislation that provides the necessary flexibility to procure the wide variety of works, goods and services necessary to deliver vital public services.  I believe that further debate and discussion is required as to the correct policy approach regarding enabling social clauses.