Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
401. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 22 October 2013, the number of groups invited to tender for the role of developing the microenterprise loans fund; the number short listed; the dates on which the procurement exercise was conducted; and if he will confirm that it was consistent with the highest standards in public procurement. [46145/13]
View answerMy Department developed proposals for the Microenterprise Loan Fund, in close consultation with relevant stakeholders, (including the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the European Investment Bank, and practitioners already in the area of Microfinancing), on foot of a clear commitment in the Programme for Government. As the relevant expertise, both internal and external to the Department, was available to assist and advise on the development of the fund no further external groups were invited to tender for the development of proposals. The result of the Department’s work, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, led to the Government deciding to legislate to establish the Microenterprise Loan Fund and Microfinance Ireland in 2012.
