Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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378. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contact work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11372/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, total Non-Pay Capital and Current Expenditure in my Department was some €230m and I am advised that no non-compliant contracts in excess of €25,000, were reported in that year. In 2019, total Non-Pay Capital and Current Expenditure in my Department was some €260m. I am advised that in 2019, my Department complied with the guidelines for all purchases with the exception of five contracts (in excess of €25,000) totalling €161,297 (excluding VAT). These contracts related to various services contracts, which were extended beyond their original contract terms. Each of these five contracts have been reviewed by my Department, and steps are being taken to bring each of these contracts into compliance with the relevant competitive procurement rules.

Information relating to 2020 and 2021 contracts will not be available until year end activities have been completed and the Comptroller and Auditor General has conducted the audit of the relevant years Appropriation Accounts.

My Department seeks to ensure that there is an appropriate focus on good practice and I am satisfied that overall my Department has appropriate governance arrangements in place to ensure on-going compliance and adherence with procurement guidelines.