I understand that the merchant agreements the Deputy is referring to, relate to "Acquiring Bank Services". These are services offered by a financial institution that facilitate an entity to accept debit and credit card payments from individuals or other entities.
In this respect my Department does not receive credit/debit card payments and does not therefore avail of "Acquiring Bank Services".
Agencies under the aegis of my Department, that avail of "Acquiring Bank Services" are; the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA); the information I have from these Agencies in relation to "Acquiring Bank Services" is summarised as follows:
Organisation
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Tender?
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Contract Expiry
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OPW
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No specific tendering acquired from their existing banking provider (OPW tendered for full banking services in 2010)
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No expiry date, can be cancelled at any time.
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ESRI
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No tendering as service costs (less than €500 per year) is well below procurement thresholds.
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No expiry date.
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IPA
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No tendering as service costs (less than €500 per year) is well below procurement thresholds.
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Service and costs reviewed on an annual basis.
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