Vol. 454 No. 3
186 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on a newspaper article (details supplied) which reported that a catering contract has been awarded by the Army to a British company; and if cost is the only factor taken into consideration when awarding such contracts. [10678/95]
The Department has under consideration proposals to release certain personnel from daily duties in dining complexes in barracks. These duties relate, for example, to the serving of meals and to clearing up utensils and equipment afterwards. In order to establish parameters as to feasibility and cost, a pilot project is being undertaken at Cathal Brugha Barracks involving the contracting out of the duties indicated to a civilian firm. Following the holding of a tender competition a contract has been awarded to an Irish company which is a subsidiary of a British-based group involved in the catering trade. It is understood that the majority of staff to be engaged on the project will be recruited in Ireland.
Guidelines for the award of public sector contracts provide that tenders should be evaluated according to the principle of obtaining best value for money and that contracts should be awarded on the basis of either the lowest suitable tender or the most economically advantageous tender. The guidelines were observed in relation to the placing of the above-mentioned contract at Cathal Brugha Barracks.
