Public Procurement Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2021

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

Ceisteanna (152)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

152. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection further to previous Parliamentary Questions in relation to a potential RFT for local employment services in areas with existing providers and for those areas with no local employment services at present, the specific EU procurement rules she cites in her responses as necessary to issue a RFT; if she has sought a derogation from any potential requirement on the basis that the local employment services provides a vital social service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30080/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

My Department recently published a request for tender for employment services for seven counties in the North-west and Midlands. These new services, in areas of the State where no Local Employment Services currently operate, will constitute a significant expansion of employment services. My Department expects to have these new services up and running in the third quarter of this year.

This procurement process will be competitive in line with legal advice received by my Department both from the Chief State Solicitor's Office and the Attorney-General's Office that these employment services were not subject to exceptions from procurement regulations. As the Deputy is aware, the Government does not publish its legal advice so I am not in a position to discuss the specifics of that advice. However, I am satisfied that the legal advice is comprehensive and unambiguous and no derogation is allowable in these circumstances.