Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
487. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33644/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a decentralised procurement model, where procurement is the responsibility of the budget holder who is usually the head of the business unit conducting the procurement exercise.
Heads of business units are responsible for ensuring compliance with my Department's Procurement Policy and all applicable national and EU rules and regulations and Office of Government Procurement guidance.
In accordance with Circular 40/2002, my Department has designated a Procurement Officer whose role is to provide support and guidance to staff and record the procurement processes of all contracts awarded over €25,000 (excluding VAT). In addition, Circular 40/2002 requires the preparation of an annual report of all contracts awarded without a competitive process and it must include an explanation why a competitive process was not undertaken. The 40/2002 report must be signed by the Accounting Officer and sent to the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General.
Budget Holders are required to inform the Procurement Officer of their procurement activities and provide all information or documentation requested by the Procurement Officer in a timely manner.
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the state bodies under its aegis. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The relevant contact details are set out in the attached table.
