Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
145 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will furnish all details of the stores and companies who submitted tenders to supply the Western Health Board with furniture and electrical goods for persons applying for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if the quotations given were inclusive of VAT. [18925/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides that responsibility for its administration lies with the relevant health board. It is a matter for the Western Health Board, when it has decided that goods or services should be supplied to persons in exceptional circumstances, to make necessary arrangements.
For some years the Western Health Board has operated a policy of using a central supplier/s for the types of goods in question. The board has found that this policy works well from the point of view of efficiency and good value for money. The contract to supply the type of goods in question is reviewed regularly. The latest contract was put in place approximately two months ago.
It was open to suppliers, in response to the board's request for proposals, to apply for the contract for the entire functional area of the board or to submit tenders for parts of the area.
As I said in response to a previous question on this issue, I am assured by the board that the arrangements made were in compliance with best procurement practices. However, I have no involvement in the procedures in question and I would not consider it appropriate for me to be involved in conveying information on the lines requested by the Deputy.
