Vol. 422 No. 4
73 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the procedures, if any, he has in place to ensure that (a) Government Departments, (b) State agencies and (c) institutions comply with the tender procedures laid down for the supply of cleaning and maintenance services; and if he will give a commitment that these procedures will be complied with in future.
The Department of Finance has a general supervisory role in relation to purchasing by Government Departments and Offices. It issues guidelines aimed at ensuring that value for money is obtained and that competition for contracts is as wide as possible.
Where a Department or Office proposes to depart from normal contracting rules for contracts over a certain value, it must get the approval of the Government Contracts Committee, which is chaired by an official of my Department.
Spending by Departments and Offices is subject to the normal audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
I am satisfied that these arrangements ensure adequate monitoring of contracts placed by Government Departments and Offices.
