Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
373 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism 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. [26037/06]
View answer374 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his Department’ information technology purchasing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26052/06]
View answer375 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism 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. [26067/06]
View answer376 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the average size of information technology procurement contracts in his Department; the median size of such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26082/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 to 376, inclusive, together.
My Department currently estimates that it has requirements of approximately €202,000 for hardware and €22,500 for software for the second half of 2006. Thus far in 2006 the Department has tendered for hardware valued at €78,000.
My Department follows the Public Procurement Guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and the relevant EU Directives in all its information technology purchasing. My Department does not keep records of suppliers data based on nationality or size of enterprise. My Department does not use the LGCSB weighting system. The average invoice value in relation to IT purchases in my Department since its foundation is €2,593.38. In the time available, given the number of discrete IT purchases involved, it was not possible to complete a full frequency distribution of observed values or quantities such that exact medians could be established. The most frequently occurring value of purchase is, however, €925.65 (in respect of the Dell Optiplex 170L).
