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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health Services Review.

Dan Neville

Question:

202 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the conflict of interest for the firm commissioned by his Department to conduct an independent review of health boards and the health service. [14887/03]

The Deputy is referring to the project undertaken by Prospectus Strategy Consultants in relation to the audit of structures and functions in the health system. The commissioning of this work was undertaken in line with EU procurement procedures for an open competition. As the Deputy is aware, the public procurement process is a rigorous one with detailed procedures and guidelines. The Department advertised its request for tenders in the Official Journal of the European Union, on the Government's e-tender website, in the national newspapers and on the Department of Health and Children's website.

The request for tenders set out the skills and capacities required by the successful tenderer as a detailed knowledge of modern public management requirements with particular regard to the specific needs of the health sector; an established track record in large scale projects involving organisational structure and management, business process re-engineering and change management; and the capacity to deliver on a project of this scale and nature within the planned timeframe of six months from the signing of the contract.

I appointed a steering group made up of ten members, including external nominees to the health system, to oversee the selection process. The assessment of applicants was based on evaluation criteria which were also set out in the request for tenders. The contract was awarded from the qualifying tenders on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, applying award criteria of quality of proposed approach and methodology to the project, demonstrating an understanding of the scope of the project and an ability to deliver the stated objectives and outputs of the project as outlined in the document; proven expertise of the tenderer in projects of a similar type and relevant referees who will be contacted in advance of any final decision; level and depth of experience and comprehensiveness of the proposed team to be substantially committed to the project; and the capacity to provide additional or alternative experienced resources within the necessary disciplines if required. The timeframe for the completion of the project and the overall cost of proposal were also taken into consideration.
I do not believe that the author of the correspondence attached is suggesting that companies with Irish health sector business should have been excluded from the process. I respectfully suggest that such an approach would have been impractical and to the detriment of the project. I have the fullest confidence in the professionalism and integrity of Prospectus Strategy Consultants regarding any potential conflict of interest. In addition, I am satisfied that the oversight role of the steering group provided further assurance in this regard.
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