Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
812 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence 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. [26045/06]
View answerInformation technology purchasing requirements for my Department, including Defence Forces requirements, for the second half of 2006 amount to approximately €400,000. These requirements ensure the continuation of maintenance and support for installed systems, software and hardware and the purchase of PC's, servers, licences and related items. Many of these are subject to contractual agreements already in place and others will be subject to normal tendering procedure. No tender requests have been issued to date and I am satisfied that existing arrangements fully meet the needs of the Department and the Defence Forces.
813 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence his Department’s information technology purchasing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26060/06]
View answerPurchasing policy in relation to ICT services in my Department follows the Public Procurement Guidelines as set out by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit in 2004, the Public Procurement Framework document in 2005, Department of Finance Circulars and Guidelines, military Standard Operating Procedures and other relevant documents, such as the Quigley Report and associated guidelines.
814 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence 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. [26075/06]
View answerThe percentage of information technology spend in my Department that went to Irish SMEs in each year from 2002 to date in 2006 is, on average, 40%, the balance being spent with larger multinational organisations. The percentage for European Union and European Economic Area SMEs in the same period is minimal. There are no systems in place in my Department to give preference to any class of vendor or supplier as this would contravene the published central government procurement guidelines and the requirement for open tendering.
815 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence 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. [26090/06]
View answerThe average size of information technology procurement contracts in my Department, including the Defence forces, in 2006 currently ranges from approximately €300,000 for larger contracts to €100,000 for medium contracts and €25,000 for smaller contracts. The median size of such contracts is currently about €35,000.
816 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence 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. [26105/06]
View answerIn line with public procurement policy as outlined at central government level, and to achieve maximum value for money, my Department engages in open tendering to the greatest possible extent. This requires advertising in the EU Journal and extensive use of the e-tenders website to enable a wide range of responses from interested vendors. Within these parameters, the Irish information and communications sector in general is a beneficiary of Defence expenditure, but it should be noted that my Department, including the Defence Forces, does not give preferential treatment to any particular company. This is in line with public procurement requirements. Exceptions to this procedure occur only when a single source of supply is available and I am satisfied that equal competitive opportunity is given to all vendors who transact business with my Department.
