The information sought by the Deputy in relation to expenditure by my Department is not readily available. I will arrange to have the material compiled and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of agencies is not held centrally by the Department. The awarding of contracts, the expenditure incurred, and the procurement arrangements by agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for each agency. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.
All bodies under the aegis of my Department are aware of the need to achieve value for money while conducting procurement. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies outlines the responsibilities of state bodies in this regard and my Department regularly updates the aegis bodies on developments in relation to public procurement policy and practices.
For the Deputy's information details of agencies under the remit of my Department can be downloaded from the Department's website.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
