Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39532/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Public procurement is key priority for Government and has undergone significant reform aimed at ensuring sustainable delivery of much needed public services while also encouraging and supporting SME participation in these business opportunities. This approach is beneficial for the State because it nurtures competition which ensures value for money is maintained and provides SMEs with a platform to take advantage of similar opportunities in Ireland and across the European Union.

Specifically, the Office of Government Procurement have developed a suite of measures aimed at assisting SMEs to access public procurement opportunities (circular 10/14). These include:

- Proportionate financial capacity criterion (turnover requirements limited to twice the contract value);

- Contracting Authorities are encouraged to divide public contracts into lots;

- Provision for “consortia bidding” to assist SMEs to participate in procurement procedures where they would not have the relevant capability or scale; and

- Public bodies are required to advertise contracts for goods and services valued above €25,000 on the national eTenders portal.

In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan, who has responsibility for public procurement, chairs quarterly meetings of an SME Advisory Group, in accordance with the Programme for Government. This ensures that the voice of Irish SMEs (including ISME, IBEC, SFA, Chambers Ireland, and CIF) is heard by Government.

The OGP proactively engages with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Inter-Trade Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to promote SME access to public procurement. The OGP participate at "Go-2-Tender" workshops and "Meet the Buyer" events held across the country which are designed to help SMEs.

A SME Communication Strategy sub-group, chaired by the OGP, was established in 2017 as a joint venture with the industry representative bodies. This further promotes awareness of potential opportunities and supports available for SMEs in tendering for public contracts. A series of information videos explaining specific public procurement topics, along with case studies of SMEs who have won government contracts, was launched by Minister of State O’Donovan earlier this year. A series of focused and targeted breakfast briefings have also taken place around the country in conjunction with Inter-Trade Ireland and the SME Advisory Group partners. Further events are planned.

The OGP continues to proactively engage with business to enhance the significant measures already in place to support SME access to public procurement opportunities.