David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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1281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [37889/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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EU and national rules promote a transparent, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. My Department has a dedicated Procurement Unit that provides advice and support to staff procuring goods and services to assist them in meeting their various procurement obligations, including those aimed at encouraging SME participation.

My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation.

Furthermore, as part of the Public Service Reform Plan, the Government established the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to drive a new consolidated and integrated approach to public procurement. In the context of its ongoing commitment to ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are fully engaged with public procurement and the opportunities presenting, the OGP has undertaken a review of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 10/2014.

Earlier this year, Circular 05/2023 replaced Circular 10/2014 and has introduced initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement. It is designed to further enable SMEs in competing for public contracts and applies to all public sector bodies.