Frankie Feighan
Sligo-Leitrim · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Among patients reviewed after 12 months of treatment, there was an 88% reduction in episodes of cellulitis, an 80% reduction in hospitalisations associated with cellulitis, significant reductions in GP and public health nurse visits, and reduced demand on both acute and community services.”
“This will deliver an additional 263 positions to the service and will particularly help to support capacity building in our front-line emergency services.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in the House. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I am aware of the issues raised by the Senator. He will appreciate that neither I nor the HSE can comment on any individual case.”
“I can confirm to the Seanad that we are currently progressing development of a third HEMS to serve the west and north west regions, including the mid-west, and planning for the new HEMS is well advanced.”
“In my opening statement, I focused mainly on aeromedical services in Ireland, particularly the helicopter emergency medical resourcing, HEMS, to provide access to emergency patient care for the people of the mid-west region, including west Clare.”
“On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Senator Conway for the opportunity to update the House on the delivery of aeromedical services for the people of west Clare and the surrounding area.”
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“This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs. An Post is also providing agency banking services. The Deputy has outlined his concerns and wants the Minister to intervene. I will bring those concerns back to the Minister. I thank him for his contribution.”
“It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network and help citizens to access services effectively and equitably. The Government also agreed the principles on which the funding model will operate, which include: maintaining access to the network across urban and rural Ireland, ensuring no community is left behind; aligning individual funding with criteria, including the degree of isolation and the sustainability of each post office; ensuring a minimum revenue threshold for post offices; and recognising offices of cultural or geographic significance, such as those on inhabited islands or in Gaeltacht areas. Over the past couple of years, An Post has been transforming its business by delivering new products and new formats in the way it operates.”
“The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide a nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is working to deliver on this and an enhanced amount of €15 million per annum has been allocated for supporting the network, subject to all legal requirements being satisfied. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network.”
“Notwithstanding this is an operational matter, officials have engaged with the company. An Post has advised in the case of Harmonstown, the move is very much in the future and there is much to be considered before then. This includes which facilities in the local area will be utilised for undelivered mail. An Post has advised it is in consultation with its staff and unions on the details of the move. An Post has noted it is consolidating its national network of local sorting offices, also known as delivery service units. An Post advises it needs larger and purpose-fitted premises to manage increased parcel volumes. An Post further advises it is hiring 300 additional postmen and postwomen across the country, some of whom will be working in this area, to manage the massive growth in volumes.”
“I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on this matter today. As An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to act commercially, day-to-day operational matters, including decisions on the size, distribution and future of the network, are matters for the board and the management of the company and not ones in which either the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, or the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, has a statutory function. The Ministers are very aware of the impact that decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals in both rural and urban areas. As this is a matter for the company, it would be inappropriate for the Government, as shareholder, to comment on or prejudice decisions which are for the board and management of An Post to consider.”
“The family resource centre is a community development programme and it is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach. Centres may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Departments, Government agencies and private sources. In relation to any immediate urgent issues, I suggest that the local authority be considered as a starting point regarding capital funding requests. Tusla also recommends that family resource centres look to any Government schemes available, such as rural integrated development schemes operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. I again thank the Deputy for his comments.”
“Family resource centres foster cohesion and collaboration and ultimately enhance the communities they serve. Many family resource centres become indispensable with clients engaging with the centres across all stages of life. The Minister is aware of the funding challenges being faced by community organisations to sustain and expand their services. She is also aware of the strong level of interest in communities around the country in establishing local family resource centres. She encourages family resource centres to engage with Departments and Government agencies where funding mechanisms exist for local service delivery. The programme for Government commits to increase funding across this term of Government. I have been pleased to outline the positive measures being taken in this respect.”
“The Minister and I thank the Deputy for engaging in this important issue. He outlined how important the family resource centre is for Balbriggan and north County Dublin. It is quite obvious that more is probably needed. The Minister is very pleased with the range of recent developments across the family resource centre programme. Core funding increases and expansion over 2025 and 2026 have been very welcome for the programme, its members and the communities served by the centres. The Minister fully supports the family resource centre programme. She has first-hand experience of the positive impacts that family resource centres have had around her own county and nationally. The centres are a great endorsement of what can be achieved locally and the associated goodwill that permeates among communities.”
“In relation to capital funding for refurbishment, extension or construction of family resource centre buildings, I wish to inform the Deputy that neither the Department nor Tusla currently has capital funding to support the purchase or building of new facilities, or the refurbishment or extension of existing family resource centres. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations, such as family resource centres.”
“That benefitted a total of 73 community and voluntary organisations delivering essential counselling and therapeutic supports to children and families. This funding, which was formerly allocated under the Dormant Accounts Fund was provided to family resource centres to allow them to continue their important work of providing counselling and therapeutic services to children and young people in the community. The funding helps to address unmet need and reduce waiting lists for community-based counselling services.”
“This followed expansion of the programme in 2025, from 121 members to 126 members. There was an increase in the minimum core funding level for family resource centres from €160,000 to €180,000 from January 2026, also secured as part of budget 2026. The core funding increase benefitted approximately 100 family resource centres around the country. Funding was secured for counselling providers, many of which are family resource centres, offering counselling and therapeutic services at no to low-cost for the communities they serve. In addition to Tusla’s family support services counselling funding, in 2025 30 family resource centres were allocated €292,500 from a total allocation of €1.5 million in additional funding.”
“Following on from core funding increases and the expansion of the family resource centre programme in 2026, made possible through budget 2026 funding, the Minister has indicated that she will continue to pursue the expansion of the family resource centre programme through the budgetary process and in line with the programme for Government commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of family resource centres. Improvements to core funding for family resource centres will also remain under consideration. Any positive developments for the family resource centre programme that come out of the budget 2027 negotiations will build on achievements in the programme over the past number of years. This includes the expansion of the family resource centre programme in 2026, from 126 to 136 members.”
“Budget 2027 negotiations have not yet commenced and it is expected that, as in previous years, the Department will work to secure a level of funding that will ensure the continuation of established services, with potentially some scope also to develop services that respond to emerging needs and increased demands, as the Deputy referenced. The family resource centre network is an increasingly important component in how issues that arise across the entire age spectrum - from early years to old age - are responded to. The Minister is very committed to the programme, and cognisant of the benefits that family resource centres bring to their communities.”
“I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for raising this important issue and for offering the Minister the opportunity to respond. As the Deputy outlined, when families are stronger, they works very well. I have full confidence in and great time for the family resource centres. When I started out in politics many years ago, they were known as family life centres. I remember as a councillor, before I became a Senator in 2002, issues came to my attention in my office that maybe I did not have the skills to deal with. It was wonderful to be able to ring the family resource centre and ask for assistance. At all times that assistance was brilliant. It was confidential and it was very helpful. I am one who believes in the family resource centres.”
“We are in that space now. She talked about Seán Lemass, a man who I have huge time for. He was one of the great Irish taoisigh. He was not from my party but I went to the launch of the book on Seán Lemass and he is one of my heroes, along with Garret FitzGerald and many more as well. She also talked about supporting the UN principles with a strong voice in the UN and that is exactly where we are. The Middle East demands the world's attention and we must not lose sight of it. I thank everybody for their contributions here today and I will bring their views back to the Department.”
“There is a lot going on there. Senator Stephenson mentioned the use of Irish airspace. I will bring that back. On our outsize influence on peace, we have an outsize influence. She talked about the occupied territories Bill and I will bring that back to the Department. Senator Harmon talked about the eyes of a child. That was very succinct because children do not feel safe. I see it myself when my son and daughter talk about Donald Trump, they know all about Ukraine and they know all about Iran now. I say to them it will be okay. They ask "Will it be okay, Dad?" and I say yes, it will be okay but we are all in uncertain times. What we need is cool heads and people to work together. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins talked about learning from the Second World War and a lot of positive things happened after the Second World War.”
“We hope they are safe and successful. As the Senator said, they will hopefully be able to de-escalate the violence. I want to pay tribute to our peacekeepers who are very proud and have a record of involvement and impartiality around the world. I hope that continues. Senator Andrews talked about the Third World wars and human rights. He feels the Irish Government could do more on Palestine and it needs to do more. He talked about the Ireland and Israel match. I will have to get some information back from the Government. The Palestinian ambassador has repeatedly expressed gratitude to the Irish Government and the people of Ireland for the solidarity and support it has continuously shown to the people of Palestine. That is from the Palestinian ambassador. We are doing a lot but I hear what the Senator is saying.”
“Senator Joe Conway talked about how he is in his eighth decade - I hope I look as good as him in my eighth decade - and he has seen so much in his life and is saddened by what is happening. It is absolutely hard to believe. I spoke on the radio today and I said this is the biggest challenge since the Second World War. You can just look at what is happening with the United States and Iran, what is happening in Palestine, what is happening in Syria, what is happening in Sudan and what is happening in Ukraine and Russia. This is a world that is so close and it is very worrying. Senator Ryan talked about the consequences for people living in war zones and she called for dialogue and diplomacy. It is nice to see the farewell the troops got from Limerick. We are very proud of them and the pride they have in being peacekeepers.”
“Ireland is clear in its support for such efforts. Our EU Presidency will be a major undertaking for Ireland and is a key focus for the work of our Government. We know the importance of ensuring that stakeholder groups here in Ireland have their voices heard and we have undertaken significant efforts to hear from them. We are also consulting with other EU member states and stepping up our engagement with the EU institutions. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms and we are confident that with the support of our partners, we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU. I thank Senators for their contributions.”
“In an ever more global and challenging landscape, characterised by disregard for international law and increased polarisation, Ireland will remain firm in its support of international law, the UN and the wider multilateral system. In the face of the global push-back against agreed human rights norms, Ireland will continue to be a consistent, active and committed advocate for human rights at the UN, within the EU and beyond, as well as a steadfast friend to all those who defend human rights around the world. At the same time, advancing UN reforms remains critical. These aims should improve the UN’s effectiveness but avoid hollowing out its capacity or coming at the cost of the UN’s core values. A more effective UN that is equipped to meet today’s challenges is key to reinforcing respect for international law and human rights.”
“Security will be an important priority during Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year. We will work to advance the EU security and defence agenda. As a small island state with a history of famine and conflict, Ireland has long understood the importance of a strong international multilateral system for our security, prosperity and well-being. That system is undoubtedly facing significant challenges today. Ireland is committed to an effective international order based on law and with the UN at its centre. For Ireland, the United Nations and its Charter are not abstract ideals but rather clear reflections of where our values and our interests align.”
“In addition to our international contributions, we have welcomed over 120,000 Ukrainians to Ireland, over 80,000 of whom have remained and integrated into our communities, echoing the welcome provided to the victims of the Chernobyl disaster over the past four decades. As Russia’s aggression against Ukraine enters into its fifth year, it is critical that we stand together and put an end to the suffering caused by this conflict and its far reaching consequences. These consequences, alongside wider geopolitical instability, have brought home the need to continue to work nationally and with our EU partners to address existing and emerging security challenges. Ireland supports EU initiatives to address Europe’s capability gaps, strengthen security and combat the hybrid threats we are facing.”
“Forty years on, Russia’s reckless and illegal war of aggression in Ukraine brings new nuclear threats to Chernobyl, Ukraine and the wider region. This has included reckless attacks that have compromised the new safe confinement at Chernobyl and the illegal seizure and militarisation of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. Nuclear disaster is once again a fear for many. The world can ill afford another Chernobyl. We must learn the tragic lessons of that day. The Irish people have always shown their compassion in response to those terrible events and continue to do so today.”
“EU sanctions are having a tangible impact on the Russian economy, making it harder for Russia to access battlefield goods and generate revenue to pay for its illegal war. We want Russia’s war of aggression to end, but it must end on the basis of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, one that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. Any agreement must also protect Ukraine and Europe’s vital security. That means strong, credible security guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend itself and forestall future aggression. Discussing Ukraine in this House today, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that last week we marked 40 years since the world’s worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl.”
“While the situation in the Middle East demands the world’s attention, we must not lose sight of the implications of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine for Ireland and the EU. Heading into the Irish Presidency, Ireland will ensure the EU continues to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and maintains pressure on Russia. We welcome the renewed unity at EU level in recent weeks. We will look and work to ensure that Ukraine continues to have access to the finance it needs, including to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing illegal aggression. Continued economic and financial support to Ukraine will remain a high priority for Ireland’s EU Presidency, including laying the foundation for the country’s long-term reconstruction following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We will continue to support robust targeted sanctions against Russia.”
“On Palestine, Ireland has consistently called for the EU to take concrete action in response to Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. In advance of discussions at the April meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland called for the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement given persistent Israeli violations of human rights and international law. The EU review of the association agreement in 2025 found Israel in clear breach of its obligations. Ireland has made clear our view that the EU must act. The EU’s credibility and the viability of the two-state solution is at stake. Next Monday, this issue will be revisited at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Ireland will continue to press for appropriate action in respect of the EU-Israel relationship.”
“While we look for the prompt resumption of negotiations, it is important that the ceasefires in the Middle East deliver a real cessation of violence and ensure the protection, most importantly, of civilians. They must lead to meaningful outcomes and a path to a lasting peace for all in the region. I reiterate Ireland’s condolences for the UNIFIL peacekeepers who have died as a result of this conflict and condemn all attacks against UNIFIL personnel, posts and vehicles. Ireland remains committed to a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. We are conscious of the potential security vacuum that will be left when UNIFIL finishes its mission at the end of the year. Now more than ever, we see the need for oversight of ceasefires and the protection of communities.”
“It is vital that the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened to international shipping to mitigate the global economic and societal impacts of the conflict and to remove the impediment to solving the long-term issues with Iran. We will remain in close contact with EU and regional partners in responding to this crisis, including the ongoing economic fallout. It is these close relationships with partners and our presence in the region that allowed us to support the large Irish communities in the region at the outset of the crisis. Even if the current ceasefire leads to a permanent end to the war, the economic fallout of the conflict is likely to persist given the lasting damage to energy infrastructure in the gulf. There are many real problems with Iran’s policies and actions which need to be resolved.”
“I thank the Senators for their contributions and views. From our discussions today, it is clear we are keenly aware that like all our friends and partners, Ireland finds itself in an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment. In Ireland, we have long championed dialogue and diplomacy as the way to solve disputes and conflicts. Our own history assures us that this is the pathway to a lasting solution in the Middle East, one that can permanently end the violence, address underlying issues and ensure regional security. Ireland calls on all parties to preserve the ceasefire, to support the efforts under way to reach negotiated solutions and for those with influence to use it constructively.”
“Sometimes we have a difference of opinion, but there are some very good ideas that can be included in the procurement strategy. Ireland will be working with Europe to have a strategy that is negotiated as well as possible. I thank Senators for their contributions. The issues raised today provide a valuable perspective and will help shape further consideration on how best to advance that ambition.”
“I thank the people who started the office of public procurement and the Department of public expenditure in 2011 and 2012. Over the years it has brought a lot of organisations, Departments and local authorities into the procurement strategy. Having such a system in place is better for transparency and value for money and, most of all, it is better for taxpayers. That is what it is all about. Senator Higgins talked about European procurement rules. We are a member of the European Union and we are waiting for the document on European procurement to come out - hopefully in the next few weeks. Ireland is working very closely on the new procurement strategy, which will have less administration. It will restructure how public money flows within the European Union.”
“Governments change and we must be careful about over-reliance on a single supplier. Across Europe we need to consider the ever-changing geopolitical events. Senator Davitt talked about EU countries. They are beginning to look at evaluating public procurement directives and modernising and simplifying procurement rules. We must also have a sustainable, strategic autonomy for European countries. That is happening. Senator Andrews talked about the social value. The Executive in Northern Ireland did learn lessons from the Republic of Ireland. It brought in a procurement strategy that has a social value. That is in line with what we want as well. It is great that the United Kingdom is working with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and across Europe and sharing good ideas. These are really good ideas.”
“It will represent a further step towards realising our ambition to build a more strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent system of public procurement that supports SMEs, delivers better public services and the best possible value for money for the taxpayer. I want to respond to a few of today's contributions. Senator Cathal Byrne said that the cheapest price is not necessarily the best and that we need value for money. He talked about large government working with small business. I do not just talk about SMEs, family businesses have to come into it. That is what this public procurement strategy is doing. Senator Craughwell talked about strategic dependency and defence. He referred to the need to rethink our over-reliance on a single supplier. He is right.”
“In that context, to date, discussions have been both timely and valuable, as outlined in my opening statement. My Department operates at the centre of the Government to drive improved public services, higher living standards and sustainable infrastructure for the people of Ireland. Public procurement is one of the key mechanisms through which these objectives are delivered in practice. The forthcoming national public procurement strategy will bring together the work I have outlined today into a single coherent framework. Shaped by extensive consultation and formed by the experiences of public buyers and suppliers, it will set out the strategic direction of public procurement in Ireland for the next five years.”
“In parallel with this expanded engagement with the supplier community, my Department is also strengthening its support of and engagement with public buyers to help embed better and more consistent public procurement practices right across the system. In the past year this has included information sessions on central procurement arrangements, eTenders training, practical guidance on core procurement requirements and a series of procurement officer network meetings hosted by the Office of Government Procurement. In total, almost 7,000 participants took part in these initiatives, reflecting the strong demand among public buyers for practical support. Building on this progress, my Department will continue to expand the scope of our service offering for public buyers, supporting effective and successful implementation of the strategy.”
“Beyond engagement to inform the strategy, the Department has always focused on creating practical opportunities for direct engagement between Government buyers and suppliers. In November 2025 we reached an important milestone with the first Government supply expo organised by the Office of Government Procurement. This event was designed specifically for the supplier base on the island of Ireland and operated in a trade show format. It allowed suppliers to engage directly with procurement teams from the State's largest spending bodies. The response was extremely strong, with over 2,900 attendees on the day. It demonstrated the real value of direct engagement between Government buyers and suppliers. Building on the success of this event, the Department is working towards holding a further event next year.”
“We recognise the crucial role played by SMEs, including social enterprises, in driving economic and societal prosperity. As stated earlier, the programme for Government includes a commitment to review the public procurement process to work towards greater participation from SMEs in Ireland. This commitment is reflected in one of the critical outcomes of the strategy, which is to make participation in public procurement easier for suppliers, particularly micros, startups, SMEs and social enterprises. This focus has been put into practice through targeted and early engagement with suppliers during the development of the strategy. A dedicated webinar was provided to help our suppliers. We undertook direct engagement with SME and social enterprise representative bodies during application of the SME test.”
“The forthcoming national procurement strategy has been subject to an extensive consultation process, which has been critical to understanding the primary challenges and opportunities for both public bodies and suppliers, including micro and social enterprises. This engagement included a public consultation that ensures all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement have an opportunity to inform the new strategy. Regional workshops were held in Dublin, Cork and Athlone that included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector and representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, including social enterprises, representatives from civic society, public representatives and members of the public.”
“I also chair the SME advisory group, which includes industry and public sector stakeholder representatives and provides a direct forum for SMEs to share their experiences of tendering for public contracts, and to raise issues affecting their participation. Earlier this month, reflecting the growing role that social enterprises play in delivering social and community outcomes through public procurement, the group was expanded for the first time to include representation from the social enterprise sector. Alongside these high-level structures we are placing a strong emphasis on engagement at an operational level.”
“The Department is therefore continuing to expand the scope and depth of strategic engagement to ensure the voices of all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement in Ireland are heard. As Minister of State with responsibility for public procurement I chair two high-level stakeholder groups which provide structured and ongoing channels of engagement. I chair the public procurement advisory council, which was established in 2024 to advise on the development of public procurement across the public sector. The council meets quarterly and provides me with guidance and advice on procurement policy, digital transformation, data analytics and strategic centralised procurement issues.”
“I thank the Senators for their contributions, which underline the very strong interest in public procurement across this House. This kind of engagement is not only welcome, but also essential if we are to deliver on the ambition of a more strategic and innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement system that supports SMEs and delivers better public services and the best possible value for money for the taxpayer. For that reason, consultation and collaboration are central to the approach the Department is taking. Meaningful reform depends on ensuring that suppliers, public bodies and the public, directly or through their political representatives, are actively involved in shaping how public procurement evolves.”
“The programme of work I have outlined demonstrates that this ambition is realistic, measurable and already being advanced in practice, with firm foundations now in place for continued progress.”
“We have established 83 central procurement arrangements, with over half of these allowing public sector bodies to award contracts without the need for further competition, which improves the overall administrative efficiency for public sector bodies and framework suppliers. In 2025, €2 billion flowed through central procurement arrangements established by the OGP. These developments provide the context for the ambition I want to conclude with today. Our ambition is to build a more strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent system of public procurement that supports SMEs and delivers better public services and the best value for money for the taxpayer.”
“Government policy is that, where possible, public bodies should use central procurement arrangements. By aggregating the State's buying power, these arrangements deliver greater value for money by generating administrative savings, reducing duplication of effort and improving process efficiencies. Central procurement solutions also support public bodies in meeting their obligations to consider more strategic outcomes, including green, social and SME-friendly considerations. The Office of Government Procurement is responsible for sourcing common products and services for the public service, from pens and paper to laptops and professional services.”
“In addition, we are developing dedicated data analytics web pages to further drive transparency. These portals will make eTenders publication and contract information far more accessible and intuitive than before. By turning raw data into clearer visual insights, we will ensure greater accessibility and accountability in public procurement. As I stated earlier, my Department is also responsible for leveraging the benefits of the State's expenditure through the establishment of central procurement solutions. The Office of Government Procurement, which operates as part of my Department, and its sector sourcing partners in education, health, defence and local government have established a range of centralised procurement arrangements for use by public bodies.”
“One of the key themes permeating the strategy will be transparency, and I recognise that public procurement can play a critical role in maintaining and building public trust. We will work to strengthen confidence in the procurement system through the provision of better data and increased visibility of how and what the State procures. The Department has recently launched a new initiative to resume the collection of procurement spend data from across the public service. This project marks a new step towards building a richer national dataset that supports advanced analytics and enables meaningful comparison between estimated contract values and actual spend. This initiative will provide deeper visibility into procurement performance, supplier behaviour and value for money across the public sector.”
“Last year, my Department published Public Procurement in Ireland: A Roadmap for Digital Development 2025-2031, which sets out a vision for user-focused digital solutions that enable users to seamlessly navigate the complexities of end-to-end procurement processes. Implementation of this vision is now progressing in practice, and my Department is focusing on the needs and experience of public buyers and suppliers, enabling greater simplification and harnessing digital and emerging technologies. For example, design groups have been established for both contracting authorities and suppliers to ensure user-centric co-design for all tactical projects. My Department is undertaking journey mapping with suppliers to identify pinch points and explore opportunities for simplification.”
“First, the strategy will embed value for money as the linchpin underpinning every procurement but reframe it to include looking beyond the lowest price to take into account Ireland's strategic interests and wider societal economic and environmental outcomes and impacts. Second, it will facilitate a shift in mindset across the public sector to view procurement as a key policy and expenditure management tool. Third, it will support simplification by making doing business with Government easier for SMEs, start-up innovators, microenterprises and social enterprises as well as larger companies. Delivery of this simplification agenda is already under way.”
“Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future includes a commitment to review the public procurement process to make it more transparent and work to ensure greater participation from SMEs. This strategy progresses this commitment. Drawing on the feedback received as part of the review, and taking account of wider policy developments at national and EU levels, the strategy expands its focus beyond transparency and SME participation to provide an holistic blueprint for the future direction of public procurement over the next five years. Reflecting the insights gathered through extensive consultation and considering wider programme for Government commitments, three critical outcomes for the strategy have been identified.”
“Second, we are focused on leveraging the benefits of the State’s expenditure by delivering procurement solutions that provide value for money, meet the needs of the public service and benefit society. As Minister of State with special responsibility for public procurement, I have tasked my officials with advancing this important work. I am pleased to be here today to provide an update on progress to date and to outline our priorities and planned actions for the period ahead. Indeed, I am always pleased to come back here to this august assembly as I was a Member here from 2002 to 2007 and from 2016 to 2020 and have very happy memories. My Department is developing Ireland’s first national public procurement strategy, which will set out the strategic direction of public procurement in Ireland for the next five years.”