Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
331. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has estimated the administrative or financial cost of collapsed or re-run procurement competitions; and if any analysis has been undertaken on the reasons for such failures and how they could be prevented through improved planning, market engagement, or procedural reform. [33632/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndividual Accounting Officers are responsible for ensuring that their public procurement functions are discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and procedures and are accountable for expenditure incurred. Individual Contracting Authorities are responsible for establishing arrangements for ensuring the proper conduct of their affairs, including conformance to standards of good governance and accountability with regard to public procurement. Any responsibility for analysis of the reasons behind collapsed or re-run procurement competitions, including any estimation of the administrative or financial cost rests with the individual Contracting Authorities.
To assist Contracting Authorities in the conduct of procurement procedures, my department has published extensive guidance material for Contracting Authorities, including the Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services and the Capital Works Management Framework. These guidance materials outline the various stages of the procurement process from specification, through to selection and award stages. They provide comprehensive guidance on ensuring the specifications fully and accurately capture the requirements; and identify the risks of poor specification and the challenges that this can cause Contracting Authorities.
My department also publishes information notes to assist Contracting Authorities and public buyers in promoting better procurement practice in their organisations. Examples of these include notes on Corporate Procurement Plans, the role of the Procurement Officer and guidance on preliminary market consultations. These notes are hosted on the Office of Government Procurement website.
