Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

greater private sector investment and potential ways of remunerating that investment, to promote
the efficient and effective provision of infrastructure, enhance competitiveness and promote the
public good.
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) will advise State Authorities on the optimal means
of financing their infrastructure projects and, in certain circumstances, may provide finance for such
projects either directly or otherwise, including through special purpose companies that can securitise
revenue from user charges.
4.2.2 Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Following from the recommendation of the NESC and a provision in the PPF, a comprehensive
framework for PPPs was negotiated between the Government and the social partners. The
agreed Policy Framework for Public Private Partnerships sets out a statement of principles for the
development of PPPs and assesses the scope, goals and benefits of PPPs. It also outlines the social
partners’ involvement in the process and arrangements for co-ordination and review.
The Central PPP Unit in the Department of Finance will develop, in consultation with the social
partners, detailed guidance in 2003 on PPPs to State Authorities. These guidelines will provide a clear,
consistent and coherent process for State Authorities when developing projects under PPP
arrangements.
4.2.3 Procurement
Procurement capacity across the public sector will be developed through the use of efficient
procurement practices and processes and by the adoption of effective procurement-related
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).
Comprehensive construction procurement guidance for public projects will be developed by the
Department of Finance with the assistance of the Government Contracts Committee (GCC). The GCC
will, in framing policy for publicly-funded construction contracts, consult all key stakeholders,
including the Forum for the Construction Industry (FCI). The views of the FCI will continue to be an
important input into the evolution of best practice construction procurement policy for the public
sector to further promote value-for-money, efficiency, transparency and sustainability.
The Government will seek to minimise bid costs by standardising contract forms, conditions and
procedures at tender stage and for construction and will issue guidelines to improve the efficiency
of the bid process. It is also proposed to review, in light of the outcome of the current initial pilot
projects, the question of a client contribution to PPP tender bid costs during the period of this
Agreement to determine their effect on the market. The Government will prioritise the
implementation of systems to support online receipt of tenders as a further development of the
e-tenders facility already in place.
4.2.4 Construction Industry
It is important to have an efficient, safe and competitive construction sector and to maximise
capacity, efficiency and competition within the indigenous construction sector. Product and process
innovation and the encouragement of buildability within the industry will be encouraged. The
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