Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine

Procurement Intelligence

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is a central Government Department responsible for agri‑food policy, farm income supports, animal and plant health, food safety, forestry and the marine/fisheries sector in Ireland.[18][19] It has a gross vote of about €2.1 billion for 2025, comprising roughly €1.8 billion current expenditure and over €320 million in capital, indicating a large, multi‑programme spending and procurement footprint.[18][19][27] Procurement activity spans farm support schemes, laboratory and veterinary services, research and innovation, ICT systems (including SAP and LIMS), facilities and equipment for laboratories and farms, and specialist advisory and professional services.[3][7][9][11][21][23] The Department also purchases a wide range of goods and services such as transport and farm machinery, laundry services for offices and laboratories, and technical support under central frameworks, often using eTenders and Office of Government Procurement arrangements.[3][4][5][9][12][23][30]

Strategic Context

DAFM’s Statement of Strategy 2025–2028 centres on climate action, sustainable food systems, implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, animal health, and digital transformation, which drives continued investment in infrastructure, laboratories, and IT capabilities.[19][20][22] Budget 2025 provides an increased allocation with an additional €158 million, including €85 million for new farm measures, alongside a capital programme of around €320–335 million, supporting programmes in animal disease control (TB, BVD, IBR), research, seafood, and agri‑environment schemes.[17][18][19][24][25][26][21] National Green Public Procurement policy now requires that at least 10% of publicly procured food be certified organic, influencing DAFM’s policy role and shaping future specifications and advisory work across agri‑food procurement.[16][22]

Updated 30 August 2026