Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the benefits of establishing the Office of Government Procurement on a statutory basis; if he will provide a timeframe for establishing the OGP on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18743/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In commencing the procurement reform programme in 2013, the Government decided that the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) be established initially as a Division within my Department, with an intention to establish it thereafter on a statutory basis.

In progressing legislation to establish a body on a statutory basis, there are a number of factors that I must assess including potential benefits, costs, regulatory considerations, risk, etc. I am currently considering this matter. As the Deputy is aware, primary legislation is required to establish the Office on a statutory basis and, to that end, it is included in Government's Summer Legislative programme.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

208. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the OGP will produce an information note to give guidance to public bodies on how apprenticeships can be incorporated into public procurement contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18744/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Office of Government Procurement published a new Information Note on Apprenticeships and Public Procurement on 18 April 2023 which can be accessed via the below link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/8b008-apprenticeships-and-public-procurement/

This information note, developed in collaboration with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, provides information for public bodies on the inclusion of apprenticeship provisions within public-sector tendering processes.