Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a central database system for suppliers throughout the State for the purpose of procurement contracts exists. [46308/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government established the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to drive a new integrated and consolidated approach to public procurement. The OGP takes a balanced approach to delivering value for the taxpayer and supporting business access to public procurement opportunities.

In this regard, the OGP promotes supplier awareness of eTenders ().eTenders is the Governments national platform for conducting procurement. The site is designed to be a central facility for all Public Sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices. The site displays, on a daily basis, all Irish Public Sector procurement opportunities currently being advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), as well as other lower-value contracts uploaded to the site by contracting authorities.

Public Bodies are required to advertise all contracts for supplies and services with an estimated value of €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) and upwards on eTenders. The advertising threshold for works and works related services is €50,000 (exclusive of VAT). They are also required to publish contract award notices. Suppliers are encouraged to register on eTenders so that they can be notified of upcoming procurement opportunities.