Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2013
75. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm whether school boards of management are permitted to purchase goods and services from a supplier of their choice in the event that such a supplier may provide the goods and or services at the same or at a lower price than that of the agreed contract supplier under the National Procurement Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4835/13]
View answerThe National Procurement Service is focused on developing centralised arrangements for the procurement of goods and services used commonly across the public service nationwide. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency; and enhanced service levels. My Department is currently working on a procurement circular for schools and the content of this will be the subject of discussion with the National Procurement Service and the school management bodies in the coming weeks.
