Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the methodology used and marking system to decide tenders for State contracts for jobs such as cleaning of Garda stations and so on; if there is positive consideration given to local tenderers over larger firms; if good reputation, best price and positive service history is taken into account; his views that these merits should have heavier weighting than the wording used in methodology statements for example; his further views that red tape such as less impressively worded methodology statements is preventing some small local firms from securing contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1310/15]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all firms seeking to secure State contracts for jobs such as the cleaning of Garda stations and so on will need ISO9000 rating in the future; if so, the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1311/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.

Public Procurement is governed by EU and National legislation and rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money for public funds. It would be a breach of the EU rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds such as nationality, location, organisational size, and reputation, and there are legal remedies which may be sought against any public body infringing these rules.

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 further opening up opportunities for small businesses that want to tender for public contracts and also to ensure that engaging with government procurement is as easy and low cost as possible.  This guidance set out positive measures that contracting authorities and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) are taking to promote the involvement of smaller enterprises as well as highlighting practices that are to be avoided because they can hinder smaller businesses in competing for public contracts.

In relation to the question as to whether firms seeking to secure State contracts for services such as the cleaning of Garda stations will need the ISO9000 quality standard (or equivalent) in the future; there are no plans at this time to make this mandatory.

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.