Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a review has taken place of the procurement practices within the education sector, particularly in the higher education sector; if such a review is proposed; if concerns have been raised with his Department in relation to procurement practices in the higher education sector or other bodies within the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37589/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority ( HEA) has decided to commence a series of Corporate Governance Compliance Reviews utilising a centralised procurement framework to deliver reviews which will evaluate the effectiveness of governance in organisations against stated policy, best practice, national and international standards.

The first such ‘rolling review’ which has commenced is looking at governance compliance practices in relation to procurement across the higher education sector. I understand that the final report will be submitted to officials of my Department shortly.

As the Deputy will be aware higher education institutions are bound by public procurement procedures in relation to their spending. The tender process and legal arrangements are a matter for the individual institutions as autonomous bodies.