Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific issues that have been brought to his attention which indicate a lack of compliance with the criteria set down by his Department in terms of procurement and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44185/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether procurement restrictions are restricting development of the economy in view of allegations to this effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44187/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 148 together.

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 the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which sets the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. This framework enables a more consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector.

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 Accounting Officers 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.

My colleague, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, launched new Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services in July 2017. The guidelines facilitate Public Bodies in meeting their corporate governance requirements in relation to procurement. These guidelines provide a comprehensive interpretation of the public procurement directives and have been designed to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of the public procurement rules.

Procurement reform is a key element of the Government's overall reform programme and is aimed at delivering increased value for money, more accurate and timely data and improvement in the capacity and capability of procurement across the public service. The central procurement frameworks and contracts established by the OGP and our sector partners in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence have been designed to optimise benefits including savings to the State through the strategic aggregation of its buying power.

The reform is being carried out in a manner that recognises the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in this country's economy. The aim is to drive fair, transparent and open competition in the marketplace but also to work with business to ensure that government procurement policies are business friendly. In this regard, Minister of State O’Donovan chairs quarterly meetings of the SME Advisory Group, in accordance with the Programme for Government, where he hears at first hand the concerns of industry.