The provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority, under the Local Government Act 2001. This includes the procurement of books and other services. My Department does not have a direct role in these matters. Local authorities must adhere to national and EU requirements when undertaking procurement processes. These requirements do not exclude Irish companies from tendering for such contracts.
I understand that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is working with the Educational Procurement Service (EPS) on a collaborative engagement for library category procurement under the new Office of Government Procurement centralised model. A Working Group is currently being established by the LGMA to oversee the process and it will consider the options for the addition of a social inclusion clause as part of the tender preparation.
It is planned to go to tender in the Autumn in order to have a national procurement in place for 2017.