Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
218. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within her Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45165/26]
View answer219. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether an invoice can be paid by her Department without an associated purchase order having first been raised; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; the number and value of payments made during quarter one of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45183/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not operate a Purchase Order system currently. Robust measures are in place governing invoice approval, payment processing, procurement contract management and budget monitoring.
The Department has a devolved structure in place for accounts payable. Invoices are processed and paid in more than 100 global locations and in over 40 currencies. Grants also form a significant portion of Departmental expenditure and are subject to separate governance procedures.
The Department are engaging with the National Shared Service Office in relation to the next phases of the Financial Management Shared Services project. This project utilises the Purchase Order model.
