Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
413. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis as defined under section 4b of Circular 02/2016 have submitted detailed plans to his Department of current year ICT-related expenditure; if any expenditure greater than €25,000 was approved by his Department prior to any advertisement on e-tenders or through any other competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Office of Public Works
The Office of Public Works (OPW) was notified by the Digital Government Oversight Unit (DGOU) in my Department on 23 March 2021 of a new electronic portal for submission of Start of Year and End of Year Returns for ICT expenditure and Requests for Specific Approval to the DGOU. The OPW was also informed that the deadline for submissions for 2021 has been extended to 30 April 2021. OPW is now in the process of preparing a submission in line with the requirements of Circular 02/2016.ICT equipment, software or services greater than €25,000 for the OPW to date in 2021 were acquired through a competitive tendering process or use of an existing Office of Government Procurement (OGP) framework. The Office of Public Works uses OGP frameworks and competitive tendering when acquiring ICT equipment software unless no such framework exists.National Shared Services Office
The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) was formally notified by the Digital Government Oversight Unit (DGOU) of my Department on 23 March 2021 of a new electronic portal for submission of Start of Year and End of Year Returns for ICT expenditure and Requests for Specific Approval to the DGOU. The NSSO was also informed that the deadline for submissions for 2021 has been extended to 30 April 2021. NSSO is now in the process of preparing a submission in line with the requirements of Circular 02/2016.Expenditure greater than €25,000 by the NSSO has not been approved by my Department prior to any advertisement on e-tenders or through any other competition.Public Appointments Service
The Public Appointments service (PAS) have not yet submitted detailed plans of current year ICT related expenditure to my Department but expect to be compliant with the revised deadline of the 30 April 2021.No expenditure for PAS greater than €25,000 was approved by my Department prior to any advertisement on eTenders or through any other competition.State Laboratory
As instructed by the Digital Government Oversight Unit (DGOU) in February 2021, the State Laboratory postponed submission of their 2021 plans to my Department, pending the roll-out of the eDGOU system. However, plans will be submitted before the revised deadline of 30 April.No expenditure for the State Laboratory greater than €25,000 was approved by my Department prior to any advertisement on eTenders or through any other competition. Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman has made its 2021 submission to my Department under Circular 02/2016. No expenditure for the Office of the Ombudsman greater than €25,000 was approved by my Department prior to any advertisement on eTenders or through any other competition.Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL) The ORNL is not required to submit ICT expenditure plans to my Department.
