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Information Technology.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Questions (516, 517, 518, 519, 520)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

529 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the information technology purchasing requirements, for both hardware and software, in her Department for the second half of 2006; the requirements for which tender requests have been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26042/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

530 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her Department’s information technology purchasing policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26057/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

531 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of information technology spend in her 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 her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [26072/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

532 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average size of information technology procurement contracts in her Department; the median size of such contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26087/06]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

533 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to support the development of the indigenous software industry through her Department’s public procurement process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26102/06]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 to 533, inclusive, together. My Department's procurement of IT is carried out in accordance with EU procurement legislation and national guidelines. These promote open and fair competition in the area of public procurement, and this is in the best interest of both suppliers of IT products and services, including our indigenous suppliers, and consumers of these products, such as my Department.

My Department's objectives in relation to Information Technology (IT) procurement are that the necessary systems are implemented effectively and meet the core business needs of the Department, and that best value for money is achieved.

My Department is keen that the maximum number of potential suppliers tender for that business, so as to ensure that bids are competitive. It is the Department's policy where practical to divide its requirements into smaller contracts. This is efficient and mitigates risks for the Department, and it also makes these contracts attractive for contractors of all sizes and thereby promotes competition.

My Department does not distinguish between SMEs and any other enterprises when evaluating tenders and awarding contracts, and does not therefore record whether an individual supplier is categorised as an SME. Neither does the Department distinguish between Irish and non-Irish suppliers. I can say, however, that the IT suppliers to the Department range from large multi-nationals to Irish micro-enterprises. Furthermore, where large suppliers have been contracted to deliver projects, they usually deliver these in partnership with smaller suppliers or subcontractors. My Department uses some key software products that were designed and developed by Irish software companies. In such cases, these companies would have won this business on merit in the face of competition from similar products from elsewhere in the world.

Figures relating to the average and median IT procurement contract sizes are being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the deputy within the next few weeks.

My Department estimates that it will spend approximately €6.77 million on IT software and hardware products between now and the end of 2006, which will include items that have already been the subject of an invitation to tender. It also estimates that it will spend in the order of €6.27 million on contracted expertise to augment the Departments own IT teams in the development of in-house software and support of our ICT systems. Similarly, this figure will also include payments for services that have already been the subject of an invitation to tender.

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