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Departmental Expenditure.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Questions (293, 294, 295, 296, 297)

Enda Kenny

Question:

306 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the proposed spending envelopes approved and set out by his Department for the foreseeable future; the broad objectives to be achieved by spending of such financial envelopes; the time scale set out for achievement of targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25964/06]

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Written answers

The capital envelope for the Finance Group of Votes (other than the OPW, who will reply separately) for the period 2006-2010 is €20 million per annum, as published in the 2006 Public Capital Programme. This broadly comprises €10 million each per annum for the Finance Vote and the Revenue Commissioners Vote, though this distribution may vary over the period according to their respective requirements.

The significant capital programmes in the Department of Finance (Vote 6), together with their broad objectives and time scales, are as follows:

Subhead

Broad Objective

Time scale

Subhead E: Ordnance Survey Ireland

Upgrading of specialised IT hardware and software as technology develops.

Ongoing over the period to 2010

Subhead N.1: Peace II

To help bring about reconciliation between the two communities in the Border Region. To address the legacy of the conflict and underinvestment in the Border Region as a result of the conflict. To promote public sector cross border co-operation and working together for mutual benefit.

2008

Subhead N.2: Northern Ireland INTERREG

To address the economic and social disadvantage that can result from the existence of a border.

2008

Subhead P: Civil Service Child care Initiative

To provide workplace crèches in the main centres of civil service population.

Ongoing over the period to 2010

Subhead Q: Procurement Management Reform

To advance the broad e-procurement agenda, including the further development of the e-tenders web-site.

Ongoing over the period to 2010

In relation to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the capital allocation provided for under Subhead A.5.1 of Vote 9 funds the acquisition of computer hardware and software. Ongoing investment in this area is required to ensure that appropriate information and communications technology is available to support the administration of the tax system, and the collection of circa €50 billion annually by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

307 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the information technology purchasing requirements, for both hardware and software, in his Department for the second half of 2006; the requirements for which tender requests have been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26034/06]

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My Department has no definite plans for software procurement in the second half of 2006. If any requirements emerge, they will be sought through normal procurement exercises.

My Department has recently issued a Request for Quotes for PCs to be procured during the second half of 2006, to the five suppliers who qualified under the Public Service wide PC Framework Agreement.

My Department does intend to procure servers and laptops later this year. The open procurement procedure under EU Directive 2004/18 was used for these procurements and the requirements were advertised on the Government tendering website www.etenders.gov.ie.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

308 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance his Department’ information technology purchasing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26049/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

309 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of information technology spend in his Department that went to Irish SMEs in each year from 2002 to date in 2006; the percentage for European Union and European Economic Area SMEs; if systems are in place in his Department’s procurement procedures to give preference to SMEs, such as the weighting system in place in the Local Government Computer Services Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26064/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

311 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to support the development of the indigenous software industry through his Department’s public procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26094/06]

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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309 and 311 together.

The information technology purchasing policy of my Department is to ensure that all procurements comply with procurement law, provide value for money and fitness for purpose, and to comply with all applicable standards.

My Department procures, where appropriate, from Public Service-wide framework contracts. However, no categorisation of any suppliers takes place in a procurement exercise as this is not permitted under procurement rules. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the precise breakdown requested by the Deputy. I can say however, because the purchasing was for one major system, that during 2004 and 2005, €616,000 was spent on indigenous software from an Irish SME. Most of my Department's software is now being built in-house. A significant part of this development is based on open source software.

My Department, as part of its central remit, manages the cross-agency committee which is responsible for putting in place Public Service wide framework contracts for hardware and software. This committee has employed the LGCSB for contract management of the frameworks. These frameworks will whenever possible make specific reference to the desirability of SME involvement.

The framework recently set up for PCs involves a supplier who is an Irish SME. The nominated re-sellers for 3 of the other suppliers on the framework are also SMEs. Additional frameworks will be put in place this year for laptops and for printers. These tenders will also similarly reference the desirability of SME involvement.

It is not possible under public procurement law to make a preference for indigenous companies.

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