Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff working in the procurement area for major State infrastructure projects in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4583/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not procure any public works projects. However, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have responsibility for public procurement policy.

With regards to construction procurement policy, all public works projects that are delivered under the Exchequer-funded element of the Government's capital plan must be procured in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). The CWMF is mandated by circular and was developed to assist contracting authorities in meeting their ongoing procurement requirements. It provides an integrated set of contractual provisions, guidance material, technical templates and procedures which cover all aspects of the delivery process of a public works project from inception to final project delivery and review.

It is the relevant sanctioning and contracting authority that has responsibility for the management of the tendering process for a public works contract and the administration of the contract once it is awarded.

The CWMF is maintained by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in conjunction with the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC) which has representatives from all the major sanctioning authorities. The OGP provides the Chair and the secretariat to the GCCC.

There are currently 4.8 Full Time Equivalent staff directly engaged on this work in my Department.