Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
702. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of State contracts that were not awarded to the lowest tender or bid in each year since 2011 to date in her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the reason the lowest tender or bid was not chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8802/19]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that both my Department and those bodies under its aegis are subject to Public Procurement Procedures as set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. These are available on the Office of Government Procurement’s website at www.ogp.gov.ie.
Within this context I would also advise the Deputy that the normal practice is for contracts to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender received by reference to predefined criteria rather than on the criterion of lowest cost.
In light of the large volume of information requested by the Deputy, arrangements are being made for the information requested to be collated and forwarded to the Deputy in line with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
