David Stanton
Ceist:440 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if he has prioritised an e-procurement program for Government; the situation regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17146/02]
Written Answers. - Electronic Procurement.
The Strategy for the Implementation of e-Procurement in the Public Sector was published in April 2002 following an extensive consultation process with key stakeholders across the public service. The strategy maps out the broad direction of procurement policy across the public sector and is focused on the delivery of cost effective procurement in the medium to longer term. The use of e-procurement technologies will be a critical element in the efficient roll out of the strategy.
The strategy recommends changes in current structures, processes and systems at national and sector level with a view to re-positioning procurement as a strategic function within public sector organisations. The first major initiative at national level is already under way with the establishment in late June of the National Public Procurement Policy Unit, NPPPU, within my Department. The NPPPU has overall responsibility for developing procurement policy, including support to e-procurement initiatives, in line with the overall thrust of the strategy and the Information Society's Action Plan – New Connections 2002.
The programme of work of the NPPPU is consistent with recommendations in the strategy and includes the following areas: work has commenced on a review of existing public procurement policies and practices that will underpin all public service procurement and e-procurement initiatives going forward; further development of the public sector procurement opportunities portal is a priority for the NPPPU and work on this national initiative will be progressed over the next 12 months; procurement strategies, including e-procurement, for the health, local government and education sectors, consistent with the overall direction of the national strategy, are being developed – work on some of these strategies is well advanced and it is expected that implementation projects will be identified as part of this process; and the NPPPU is also directly responsible for developing an approach to procurement and e-procurement across Departments. The NPPPU will be examining options for the roll-out of the strategy across this sector in the coming months.