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Departmental Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Questions (187)

John Lyons

Question:

187. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the use of social clauses in contracts for the construction of primary care centres and the national children's hospital, Dublin; and if he will consider including a quota in the contracts to employ jobseekers who are long-term unemployed. [4700/13]

View answer

Written answers

Job creation is a priority for this Government. The matter of social clauses in public contracts is being examined by the Minister Public Expenditure and Reform and his Department.

Social clauses can be used in public procurement in cases where they are targeted at factoring into the procurement process consideration of social issues such as employment opportunities, equal opportunities and social inclusion. In 2010, the European Commission issued guidance that identified a range of social considerations that could be relevant for procurement including promoting employment opportunities for young unemployed or long-term unemployed and promoting compliance with core labour standards. This guidance stressed that when incorporating social considerations into the procurement process one of the key challenges is ensuring compliance with the EU Treaty Principles and the Procurement Directives. However, challenges arise from the need to ensure that: value for money is not adversely affected; additional costs are not placed on domestic suppliers relative to other potential suppliers; and the targeted benefit is capable of being measured and monitored during execution of the contract. The main purpose of the public procurement process is to ensure that goods, services and works are purchased by the State in a manner that is legal, transparent and of high probity, and our key requirement is the achievement of value for money.

I support the deliberations of the Minister Public Expenditure and Reform and his Department. The outcome of these deliberations will, where appropriate, be reflected in construction tenders.

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