Written answers
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Public Procurement Contracts
Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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2066. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department used reserved contracts or social clauses in their public procurement tenders in the past five years; the nature of the reserved contract or social clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42733/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and agencies for which the Department provides procurement services* has not, in the past five years, recorded any use of reserved contracts and social clauses in its public procurement tenders. However, my Department is committed to promoting the wider use of social considerations in public procurement and this area is being actively researched by our Procurement Unit.
Where possible, my Department makes use of Office of Government Procurement (‘OGP’) Framework Agreements to procure goods and services in line with best practice and public procurement rules and guidelines. The use of these OGP Framework Agreements supports the Department to incorporate labour, environmental, and social considerations, which are included as part of the OGP’s template tender document suite.
The following are some examples of OGP frameworks my Department has drawn down from which are listed as containing such considerations.
- FCT085F - Electrical Goods (White Goods, Small Appliances & TV’s)
- FCL030F - Cleaning, Paper, Personal Hygiene and Period Equality Products
- PBF123F - Accounting, Audit and Financial Services
- FCT079F - Water Coolers, Water Bottles, Point of Use Coolers (Mains Fed) and Servicing of all Water Coolers
For example, the ISI entered into a contract with a vendor for the provision of media strategy, planning and media services. As part of this award, tenders were required to demonstrate their approach to social considerations, including diversity and social inclusion.
Similarly, in the IPS, tenders for a cleaning supplies contract were required to promote environmentally friendly practices and products. In the last uniform tender run by the Irish Prison Service, tenders were required to adhere to fair working conditions, including fair pay and safe working environments, across their supply chain.
I am also informed that the Courts Service, Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA), Private Security Authority and Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland use social considerations in procurement contracts when relevant. These include considerations relating to health and safety, environment, social, and labour.
It has not been possible for An Garda Síochána to provide the information requested in the timeline provided. Once this is received, I will forward it to the Deputy directly.
*My Department provides procurement services for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, Dublin Coroners, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Forensic Science Ireland, Office of the Inspector of Prisons, Office of the State Pathologist, and Probation Service.
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