Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
524. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the policy of his Department to ensure that Irish based businesses and SMEs, in particular, are not prevented from tendering for Government and State business; the measures that he has put in place to ensure that Irish businesses are supported in tendering for Government or State business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37901/23]
View answerThe Government recognises the importance of the SME sector and continues to enhance the already substantial measures to support SMEs in accessing the public procurement market. In March, my Department published Circular 05/2023: Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement, which replaced Circular 10/2014. The circular includes a suite of policy measures aimed at assisting SMEs to access public procurement opportunities. These include:
• An increase to the threshold at which all contracts for goods and services must be advertised on eTenders from €25,000 to €50,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• An increase to the threshold at which all contracts for works must be advertised on eTenders from €50,000 to €200,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• Enhanced measures that public bodies should take to promote transparency, including a requirement to publish contract award information for all procurements over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• Specific measures that public bodies should take to promote SME participation, including the division of public contracts into lots and the use of proportionate financial capacity and insurance requirements;
• A reiteration of the role that eTenders, the national e-tendering platform, can play in promoting SME participation; and
• Updated guidance for insurance levels for supplies and general services.
The Circular sends an important signal of the Government’s commitment to support SMEs so that they can compete for public procurement contracts as set out in the Programme for Government “Our Shared Future”. It builds on the work already taking place across Government, including through the SME Advisory Group chaired by Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Mr Ossian Smyth TD. The group, which meets quarterly, has afforded the Government the opportunity to hear first-hand from SMEs about their experiences tendering for public contracts and to voice any concerns to Government on issues affecting SME participation in public procurement. Minutes from the meetings of the SME Advisory Group are available on the website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/8a305-sme-advisory-group/ of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
The OGP launched a new eTenders platform in May 2023. To assist suppliers with the registration process, the OGP has developed interactive materials and user manuals, which are available on www.etenders.gov.ie. A dedicated helpdesk has also been established to address any technical queries regarding the new eTenders. Further resources for suppliers, including a dedicated “Sell to Government” information page and informational videos, are available on the OGP website and YouTube channel.
My Department will continue to proactively engage with business to enhance the significant measures and strategies already in place to support SME access to public procurement opportunities building on the progress to date.
