Clauses in public contracts to deliver ‘social benefits’

The Government is to insert "social" clauses into public contracts to ensure those awarded the work contribute to employment and training through measures such as recruiting workers from the long-term unemployed.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said it was currently carrying out an “ambitious” reform programme of the procurement function across the public service.

“Broadly speaking, the main objectives of this reform are to professionalise how procurement is conducted in the State and to ensure services are delivered in a sustainable manner in a cost-effective way for citizens,” it said.