Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Government Procurement has a statutory or other authority to advise, consult or manage local authority procurement processes; the policies in place to ensure fairness and consistent public procurement processes are used by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13129/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for developing and setting out the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. In this regard, the OGP has developed the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which consists of 5 strands:

- Legislation (Directives, Regulations)

- Government Policy (Circulars, etc.)

- Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works

- General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services

- More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the OGP

This framework enables a more consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector by setting out the procurement procedures to be followed by public bodies. The framework supports contracting authorities, including the OGP, the four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Departments, Offices, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and entities which are subsidised 50% or more by a public body, when awarding contracts for works, goods and services. It enables public bodies to adopt procedures to meet their Public Procurement requirements and facilitates compliance with EU and National Procurement Rules.

I should point out that Local Authorities like all Contracting Authorities are responsible for adhering to the procurement policy framework and for the individual procurement decisions they make. In terms of adopting a consistent approach to public procurement, I understand that the Local Government Management Agency provides advice and assistance to Local Authorities regarding national and EU procurement regulations and contract management issues affecting their activities and monitors legislative and case law developments to ensure its processes remain current in light of these developments and other best practice initiatives.

I would add that, last July, my colleague, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, launched new Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services. This comprehensive interpretation of the public procurement directives has been designed to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of the public procurement rules.

However, it is worth noting that while the OGP guidelines facilitate and enable compliance with public procurement rules, it is the responsibility of each Contracting Authority, including the Local Authority Sector, to ensure they adhere to these rules.

The OGP supports compliance by putting in place compliant procurement solutions, publishing guidelines and template documentation and proactive engagement with our sourcing partners in the Health, Education, Defence and Local Government Sectors through the Procurement Executive. The solutions provided by the OGP include a broad range of Framework Agreements from which public bodies can draw down goods or service, and include areas as diverse as uniforms, food, legal services, IT, and electricity.

Furthermore, the OGP's Key Account Managers are in regular contact with Procurement Officers in Government Departments and State Bodies to assist, support and remind them of their obligations in relation to public procurement.

Finally, I would point out that public procurement practices are subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, and the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and Accountable Officers/Accountable Persons are publicly accountable for expenditure incurred. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for establishing arrangements for ensuring the proper conduct of their affairs, including conformance to standards of good governance and accountability with regard to procurement.