Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2023
179. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what tender process is in place to allow local suppliers and facilities management companies to apply for tenders for upcoming contracts of catering and cleaning of IPAS centres; if consideration will be given to a company (details supplied) that cannot access the tender process , and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/23]
View answerThe Department is responding rapidly to service requirements in emergency accommodation centres that are being brought into use. At end of February 2023, my Department has contractual arrangements in place with 126 emergency accommodation centres and 47 permanent IPAS accommodation centres. These providers engage their own in-house catering or subcontracted services.
In addition, my Department has a number of facilities management service providers in place that typically include catering, cleaning, resident support and security services.
The Department employs a request for tender process for its permanent centres and advertises on national newspapers for emergency accommodation providers.
In certain instances the Department has been forced to employ rapid response Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) processes, for international protection accommodation only, to ensure a service from an experienced provider can be employed quickly in an emergency setting.
The Department is currently progressing a wider facilities management Request for Tender process. The RFQ process above is being utilised in the interim.
Should the named provider wish to apply for the RFQ/RFP process for further possible locations, they can send their details to IPPS@equality.gov.ie and they will be afforded the opportunity to quote.
The RFT for Facilities Management, once finalised, will be published on e-tenders.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
