Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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1362. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department or any agency operating under its aegis has, in the past five years, used reserved contracts or included social clauses in public procurement tenders; if so, to detail the types of contracts or clauses used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42850/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that my Department has not used reserved contracts in the period since the establishment of the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020. It should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025.

I wish to advise to the Deputy that both my Department and those bodies under its aegis are subject to Public Procurement Procedures as set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. These are available on the Office of Government Procurement’s website.

Within that context my Department seeks to ensure that there is an appropriate awareness of all relevant guidelines both within the Department and across those agencies under its remit. Procurement within those bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for which the bodies themselves are responsible.

The procurement profile of my Department during this time has largely focused on the use of OGP frameworks to the greatest extent possible. Any goods and/ or services procured directly have typically been specialist services or technical supports to assist in the diverse work programme of my Department. My Department's Management Board requires social considerations be taken into account in every procurement process.