Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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225. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of procurement officers in his Department charged with the responsibility of preparing, tendering and awarding procurement contracts. [46264/18]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual cost of procurement officers in his Department charged with the responsibility of preparing, tendering and awarding procurement contracts. [46265/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

Within my Department, the Assistant Principal Officer charged with responsibility for the Department's Accounts and Procurement Units also acts as the designated Procurement Officer.  As such, the annual cost of the Procurement Officer function is included within the individuals annual salary.

The Procurement Officer operates in a support and advisory capacity to line Divisions who are individually responsible for the preparation, tendering and awarding of contracts for goods and services within their respective areas.  These procurement activities form part of the day-to-day duties of certain officials, the cost of which is included within their respective salary costs.