Foreign firms win 25% of state contracts

ALMOST one quarter of public contracts relating to supplies were awarded to non-Irish companies in 2008.

Statistics provided by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit in the Department of Finance show that two years ago 21% of supplies contracts put on the e-tenders website were ultimately awarded to companies outside the state.

Overall, €568 million worth of contracts were awarded in 2008 to non-Irish companies – 12% of all public contracts.