Vol. 485 No. 2
384 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and identity of all contracts in excess of £300,000 awarded by his office or other bodies under the aegis of his Department from the period 30 June 1997, to date; whether these contracts were awarded by public tender or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23131/97]
It is the practice of my Department, and bodies under the aegis of the Department, to follow Government contracts procedures, including the requirement for competitive tendering. If a departure from the procedures is considered necessary in a particular case, the prior approval of the Government Contracts Committee (GCC) is sought. My Department has not found it necessary to approach the GCC on this issue since 30 June of this year. I should point out also that my Department's contracts procedures are subject to internal and external audit.
Compilation of the information sought in respect of individual contracts cannot be compiled in the time available for reply and will be forwarded to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
