Programme for Government

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Questions (365, 366, 367)

Albert Dolan

Question:

365. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to his statement during Oral Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 28 May 2026 that the publication of purchase order data over €20,000 stems from a commitment in the Programme for Government and public service reform plan 2011, whether it was the expectation of Government that all Departments, agencies and public bodies to which the requirement applied would implement and maintain publication arrangements in accordance with that commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44901/26]

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Albert Dolan

Question:

366. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [45170/26]

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Albert Dolan

Question:

367. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether an invoice can be paid by his 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 [45188/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 366 and 367 together.

As the Deputy is aware, on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government in 2011, an action was included in the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 which required all Government Departments and public bodies to publish Purchase Orders (POs) over €20,000. It is the responsibility of all such bodies to adhere to this requirement and implement and maintain the necessary publication arrangements.

My own Department operates in accordance with Public Financial Procedures, the Public Spending Code and established internal control frameworks, which require that all POs on the Department's Financial Management System are supported by appropriate contracts and are in line with public procurement guidelines. There may be limited and exceptional circumstances where an invoice is processed without an associated PO. This usually arises for regular utility bills and travel costs. The number and value of payments made by my Department in the first quarter of the year which were not associated with a PO was €116,785 (237 items) out of total invoices paid amounting to €10.6 million (948 items).

Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 365.

Question No. 367 answered with Question No. 365.