Concession Contract
As Gaeilge: Conradh Lamháltais
Also known as: Public Concession, Concession Agreement, SI 286/2016
Last reviewed April 2026
A contract where the supplier earns its return mainly from exploiting the works or services (e.g. tolls, user fees), bearing operational risk.
Governed by Directive 2014/23/EU, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 286/2016. A concession differs from a standard public contract because the concessionaire's remuneration comes mainly from the right to exploit the works or services (toll roads, leisure facilities, car parks, waste collection), not a fixed price from the authority. The concessionaire must bear genuine operational risk. EU rules apply above a threshold of €5,404,000 (2026–2027 cycle, effective 1 January 2026 per Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2151). Used in Ireland for PPP infrastructure (toll motorways) and certain local authority service concessions. Last verified: 2026-05-05.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 6 notices captured in the last 12 months on Tenderwatch (as at October 2026).
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Open Irish tenders featuring Concession Contract
Related terms
EU Procurement Directives
The EU rules governing public procurement above threshold values, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 284/2016.
Utilities Directive
The separate EU procurement regime for utilities sectors (water, energy, transport, postal), with higher thresholds and more flexible procedures.
Threshold
The value above which specific procurement rules apply: €50k national, €140k/€216k EU services, €5.404M EU works (2026–2027 cycle, effective 1 January 2026).
Economic Operator
The EU procurement term for any supplier, contractor or service provider (an individual, firm, or consortium) that bids for or performs a public contract.
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