The Northern Ireland Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development
Sustainable Development embedded in procurement guidance
 | At the launch of important new guidance to advise the public sector on the purchase of goods and services Finance Minister Peter Robinson highlighted the importance of sustainable development as a cross-cutting theme underpinning the successful delivery of the Programme for Government in terms of social, economic and environmental outcomes. |
Minister Robinson lauded the work of the procurement board in delivering the guidance ‘Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement’ stating: “It sends out a clear message that public procurement can be used as a means to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits which go beyond simply procuring a product or service.”
He said: “Public sector procurement expenditure by Northern Ireland Departments, their Agencies, NDPBs and Public Corporations, accounted for approximately £1.9 billion of supplies, services and construction works in 2006 – 2007. This will rise significantly in the next 3 years under the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, which sets out a framework to deliver a further £6 billion of spend. Against this background, I am sure you can begin to appreciate the potential opportunities that might exist for public sector procurement to be a vehicle for change.”
He continued: “The promulgation of this guidance across the Public sector, will be supported by a comprehensive programme of training and awareness sessions for both policy makers and procurement professionals across the public sector. Under PSA 11– Driving Investment and Sustainable Development, the target is to deliver basic training on sustainable procurement for all procurement staff by March 2009, and OFMDFM is rolling out awareness training to policy makers on sustainable development.”
He summed up saying: “The delivery of the Programme for Government and the Investment strategy, and the huge increase in investment, which these will bring, present an unprecedented opportunity to do more than just create structures.”
» Download a copy of the guidance Equality of Opportunity and Sustainable Development in Public Sector Procurement
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