Making access to public contracts easier for SMEs

Times are tough for small and medium sized businesses across the country right now and they need every helping hand that the Government can give them.

Public contracts are a very important source of business for SMEs but it has been difficult in the past for some smaller businesses to secure them because of certain qualifying conditions.

I am delighted that new guidelines have now been issued by the Government to level the playing field and to make it easier for companies of all sizes to compete for public contracts.

We have cut the red tape and changed the thresholds so that more companies can qualify to tender for Government contracts.

The process isn’t complete just yet. We have some further work to do on it, but it’s a good start and I know that it is already making a difference for SMEs across the country.

Anyone who would like to learn more about the public procurement process can check out www.procurement.ie.


Dara Calleary is TD for Mayo and Minister of State for Labour Affairs and Public Service Transformation.