Public Procurement Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2012

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Ceisteanna (119)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

197 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a construction company must have a turnover of €700,000 or greater in order to tender for the construction of primary schools; in view of the overall reduction in construction costs of recent years, if he will consider reducing this threshold and thus open up opportunities to smaller builders who have been hardest hit by the construction downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

Public procurement guidelines direct that the principles of fairness and openness apply when Public Bodies acquire goods or services. The following information must be made available as part of a tendering process:

(i) qualitative selection criteria (i.e. minimum mandatory requirements) to include evidence of financial standing and technical capability;

(ii) award criteria to include the lowest price or most economically advantageous tender using various criteria such as price, period for completion, running costs, technical merit, etc.

(iii) detailed reasons to unsuccessful candidates as to why their application was rejected.

The Department's guidelines provide proportionate minimum standards for qualification and advocate the use of open procedures for projects valued less than €2.5m. This ensures that indigenous parties have equal access to the market.