Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the procurement review, if he will outline the timelines relevant to the process. [27883/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to make it more transparent and work to ensure greater participation from SMEs. Working towards this aim, and to set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years, my department is developing a first National Public Procurement Strategy.

Consultation and collaboration are central to ensuring we are developing a strategy that works for all of those involved. With that aim in mind, my department launched a public consultation in March to ensure that all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement have an opportunity to inform the new strategy. This consultation, which was carried out by way of an online survey, closed on 20 May. My department also held workshops in Dublin and Cork on 12 and 16 May respectively, which included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector, representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, representatives from civil society and members of the public.

My officials are currently reviewing the submissions to the public consultation and the insights garnered from the workshops. This feedback will be brought into the next phases of consultation which will involve discussions with key departments and stakeholders to agree desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy. I plan on bringing the strategy to Government in Q4 2025.