Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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3470. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether his Department or any agency operating under the aegis of his Department have used reserved contracts or social clauses in their public procurement tenders in the past five years; if so the nature of the reserved contract or social clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42518/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The vast majority of my Departments funding is utlisised for grant funding schemes that support rural and community development, and the Gaeltacht. Many of these grant schemes, including the Community Services Programme and Social Enterprise measures provide funding supports to entities operating services for community benefit, and also help individuals in terms of employment opportunities.

My Department undertakes very limited procurement, with the goods and services procured mainly related to the day to day operations of Departmental offices. It is Departmental policy to utlise the Office of Government Procurement framework agreements so as to ensure value for money. As such, reserve contracts or social clauses have not, to date, been utilised - however, Departmental policy does provide for them should a relevant procurement be taking place. I would note that the Department has utilised social enterprises for some below threshold service provisions such as meeting spaces and related catering. I would also note that the Department has implemented green procurement measures for a number of contracts.

There are eight agencies under the remit of my Department: Pobal, Western Development Commission, Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs, including the use of reserve contracts or social clauses.