Light-Touch Regime
As Gaeilge: Réimeas Lámh-Éadrom
Also known as: Light Touch, Schedule 3 Services
Last reviewed April 2026
A simplified EU regime for social, health, education and other Schedule 3 services with a higher threshold (€750k) and lighter procedural rules.
Schedule 3 of S.I. 284/2016 (transposing Articles 74 to 77 of Directive 2014/24/EU) sets out a light-touch regime for social, health, cultural and certain other services. The financial threshold is €750,000, considerably higher than the standard goods/services threshold. Contracting authorities can design their own procedure provided it respects the EU principles of transparency and equal treatment. A Contract Notice and Contract Award Notice are still required. Common in Ireland for HSE-funded services, ETB training, and Tusla family-support contracts.
Related terms
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).
Contract Notice
The formal advertisement of a procurement opportunity — above-threshold notices go to eTenders and TED.
EU Procurement Directives
The EU rules governing public procurement above threshold values, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 284/2016.