Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the leasing of services through service-level agreements; and if he will hold a preference for State-provision of services. [29652/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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All Public Bodies are obliged to treat public funds with care and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained (including the appropriate consideration of alternative options) whenever public money is being spent or invested.

It is the responsibility of the relevant Government Department to ensure that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all required procedures within their department/office and within the bodies under the aegis of their department. It is a matter for each Accounting Officer to decide whether processes in place in his/her department/ office/body and associated agencies are appropriate to:

- Ensure compliance with the Public Spending Code, Public Financial Procedures and the relevant circulars;

- Ensure Value for Money and appropriate consideration of alternative options.

These arrangements should take account of the requirement in Section 8.25 of the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodieswhich requires the Chairperson of each State body to confirm in its Annual Report that the organisation is adhering to the relevant aspects of the Public Spending Code.

In relation to the leasing of services through service level agreements, and the issue of preference for State-provision of services, as the Deputy will be aware, the issue of external service delivery was covered in Building Momentum - the public service agreement for 2021-22. In that agreement, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the appropriate use of direct labour, where consistent with efficient and effective public service delivery. In addition, the provisions of recent public service agreements relating to external service delivery will continue to apply.