Jonathan O'Brien
Question:60. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if social value targets, provisions or clauses exist within the national procurement strategy. [46305/18]
View answerThursday, 8 November 2018
Questions (60)
Written answers
Public procurement can be used to encourage suppliers to perform actions that are focussed on the inclusion of broader social policy considerations. In general, the inclusion of social considerations in a procurement process is most effective where the benefit is a core requirement and can be directly linked to objectives of the contract. The social objectives should be clear and verifiable through the inclusion of an appropriate monitoring process.
Social considerations may include such issues as reducing unemployment, providing training opportunities for disadvantaged groups or the protection of the environment. Their inclusion has been specifically allowed for in the 2014 EU Directives on Public Procurement. The incorporation of social considerations in public procurement should be done in a targeted manner where the impact on SME access is managed, where value for money is achieved and where the process is robust and legally compliant.
The Office of Public Procurement (OGP) has drafted an Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement . This note, which will be published shortly, sets out the key factors for policy departments and contracting authorities to be aware of when contemplating and planning the use of social considerations in public contracts.
The OGP, as a central purchasing body, cannot decide for other contracting authorities or at a whole-of-Government level what social considerations should be included in the frameworks and contracts that it puts in place on their behalf. The OGP, however, can help facilitate the process of incorporating those objectives, once agreed, into planned procurement projects.
The OGP intends establishing an Interdepartmental Social Considerations Advisory Group to promote and facilitate the inclusion of social considerations in public procurement projects.