Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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74. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is concerned that outsourcing relationships with particular private contractors are contributing to exorbitant costs for OPW contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5168/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) delivers a wide variety of capital projects across flood relief works, heritage services and the estate portfolio. Most of its procurement is part of larger processes, such as flood relief schemes, property acquisition, construction, renovation and fitting- out of buildings.

Contracts are awarded by the OPW following a competitive tendering processes in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines (Public Spending Code) and the Capital Works Management Framework.

The question suggests that the OPW favours particular private contractors and that contracts awarded contribute to high costs. That is not the case.

Under procurement regulations, the OPW must use the eTenders public procurement platform to tender for contracts above threshold values set by Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR).

The OPW also uses framework agreements established by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and its own frameworks. These frameworks provide for competitive procurement processes where pre-qualified contractors are requested to tender for OPW contracts.

These procurement arrangements provide for competitive tenders and ensure that contracts are awarded following a competitive process.