Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020
68. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and any commercial or non-commercial State bodies and private entities subsidised by 50% or more of public funding under the aegis of her Department have implemented social clauses in their public procurement contracts in the past three years (details supplied); and if so, the nature of these social clauses. [39057/20]
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 that context my Department seeks to ensure that there is an appropriate awareness of all relevant guidelines both within the Department and across those agencies under its remit. Procurement within those bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for which the bodies themselves are responsible.
The procurement profile of my Department during this time has largely focussed on the use of OGP frameworks to the greatest extent possible. Any goods and/ or services procured directly have typically been specialist services or technical supports to assist in the diverse work programme of my Department.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that where my Department is engaged in significant capital investment projects under Project 2040, such as the development of the National Gallery and National Archives, both my Department and the relevant bodies work with the OPW to ensure compliance with the requirements of Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement, to ensure that where appropriate, social inclusion considerations are factored in to the procurement process.
