My Department is engaged in significant capital investment projects under Project 2040 across all the National Cultural Institutions which include both the National Gallery of Ireland and National Archives.
Under the Public Spending Code, and the Capital Works Management Framework, my Department acts as the Approving Authority with responsibility for granting the approvals required at each point in the project life-cycle and ensuring project delivery in line with those approvals. The National Cultural Institutions act as the Sponsoring Agency, responsible for the appraisal, planning and management of projects, while the Office of Public Works, for most projects under the programme, acts as the Contracting Authority with responsibility for procurement at construction phase and overseeing the construction process.
At present, all the National Cultural Institutions projects are at various stages including appraisal, design, planning and procurement, along the Public Spending Code life-cycle and no contracts have, as yet, been placed in relation to construction.
My Department and the National Cultural Institutions will work with the OPW to ensure that the requirements of Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement will be taken in account, as appropriate, and any other relevant advice from the Office of Government Procurement.
