Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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721. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23567/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In late 2013, my Department commenced an open procurement exercise for admission to a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the supply of temporary contract ICT personnel, replacing the previous Framework Agreement which expired in early 2014. The current Framework Agreement came into effect in February 2014 and is in place for an initial two-year period. As and when a specific requirement for resources arises during the life of the Framework Agreement, the Department issues mini-tenders to participants on the Framework, inviting them to submit competitive bids. This reduces the time taken for the Department to respond to business demands while ensuring value for money on an ongoing basis.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which commenced operations in 2014, is scheduled to have a Framework in place by end-2015, for the engagement of ICT Professional Services (including contractors). My Department will avail of the OGP's Framework, upon expiry of its current Framework in February 2016.