David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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524. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policy of his Department to ensure that Irish based businesses and SMEs, in particular, are not prevented from tendering for Government and State business; the measures that he has put in place to ensure that Irish businesses are supported in tendering for Government or State business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37901/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the importance of the SME sector and continues to enhance the already substantial measures to support SMEs in accessing the public procurement market. In March, my Department published Circular 05/2023: Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement, which replaced Circular 10/2014. The circular includes a suite of policy measures aimed at assisting SMEs to access public procurement opportunities. These include:

• An increase to the threshold at which all contracts for goods and services must be advertised on eTenders from €25,000 to €50,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• An increase to the threshold at which all contracts for works must be advertised on eTenders from €50,000 to €200,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• Enhanced measures that public bodies should take to promote transparency, including a requirement to publish contract award information for all procurements over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• Specific measures that public bodies should take to promote SME participation, including the division of public contracts into lots and the use of proportionate financial capacity and insurance requirements;
• A reiteration of the role that eTenders, the national e-tendering platform, can play in promoting SME participation; and
• Updated guidance for insurance levels for supplies and general services.

The OGP launched a new eTenders platform in May 2023. To assist suppliers with the registration process, the OGP has developed interactive materials and user manuals, which are available on www.etenders.gov.ie. A dedicated helpdesk has also been established to address any technical queries regarding the new eTenders. Further resources for suppliers, including a dedicated “Sell to Government” information page and informational videos, are available on the OGP website and YouTube channel.

My Department will continue to proactively engage with business to enhance the significant measures and strategies already in place to support SME access to public procurement opportunities building on the progress to date.