Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm that there will be no job losses or loss of courses/classes in education training boards due to changes in the tendering process; how the anomalies and inconsistencies uncovered by the EPS were allowed to happen; his views on whether the level of governance is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29088/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to assure you that the cessation of this tender process will not result in any job losses in ETBs. ETB staff are not involved in the delivery of contracted training, which is provided by external training providers using their own staff.

Contracted Training is a long-established element of FET provision, allowing ETBs to access specialist expertise and flexible capacity to meet learner and employer needs. The tender process sought to put in place a multi-supplier framework for the provision of future contracted training. This doesn't impact existing provision. Multi-supplier frameworks are widely used across the public sector to ensure compliance, efficiency, and value for money. It is in the nature of contracted training that course provision can change in line with demand, but the tender process to which the Deputy refers is not expected to have any implications for courses provided.

In relation to the recent tender, I want to be clear that EPS did not uncover any impropriety. Rather, certain issues emerged which, in the view of EPS and following legal advice, warranted discontinuing the process purely as a precaution to uphold fairness and transparency. To protect the competitive integrity of the re-tender, I cannot comment further on the specific issues identified.

EPS and ETBI acted with an abundance of caution. This early intervention was taken to prevent potential legal challenges which could otherwise jeopardise course delivery. These steps were taken to protect public money. The published tender amount was an indicative value only and no contracts had been awarded.

The role of EPS is to support educational bodies in procurement activities in order to achieve value-for-money and to enhance procurement compliance. Accountability for expenditure under multi-supplier frameworks rests with the ETB who awards services procured under the framework.

Interim arrangements are in place, and EPS are currently engaging with the ETBs on the optimal approach for the re tender with the aim of ensuring that the final procurement model is robust, workable and delivers value for money.

In the meantime, EPS issued the Prior Information Notice (PIN) on 1 April. A PIN is an early, non-binding notice used to alert the market to a planned procurement and, in some cases, to support more efficient competition later.

The objective remains to establish a national panel of suitably qualified providers capable of delivering high quality, flexible training provision across the ETB network.