Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address problems with the centralised tender for book supplies to public libraries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36190/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. This includes the procurement of books and other library related services. My Department has no direct role in these matters.

I understand that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is currently working with the Educational Procurement Service (EPS) on a collaborative engagement for book stock procurement under the new Office of Government Procurement centralised model. In this context, a public library stock tender was published on 21 October 2016. The tender is being managed by the EPS on behalf of the LGMA and it is expected that a national framework will be in place for January 2017.

A national tender was considered the most appropriate approach to securing the best outcome for the public library service in terms of stock ordering and servicing. In this regard, the tender seeks to deliver greater efficiencies and value-for-money for public libraries, maximising the cost-effectiveness of resource expenditure, increasing purchasing power and getting the best choice of material. While the tender process complies fully with public procurement requirements, and will deliver a more cost effective service, the LGMA is confident that the publication of the tender in six lots will guarantee an equitable process for all suppliers and will yield very competitive tenders from Irish suppliers.