Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [4570/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Public Procurement in my Department is undertaken as needs arise and in line with relevant legislation, policy and public procurement guidelines.

There is a dedicated Procurement Unit comprising of nine staff within my Department which is led by the Head of Finance Division. This Unit develops, disseminates, monitors and enforces procurement policy and provides advice to staff on procurement matters as necessary. They also avail of the expertise of the staff of the Office of Government Procurement, as appropriate.

My Department currently has one major infrastructure project (above €20 million) on-hand, with two specialist grade staff involved in procurement connected with this project. Nineteen specialist grade staff engage in procurement, as part of their normal functions, on lower value capital infrastructure projects.