Reserved Contract
As Gaeilge: Conradh Curtha In Áirithe
Also known as: Reserved Procurement, Reserved Lot
Last reviewed April 2026
A contract or lot reserved for sheltered workshops, social enterprises or supported-employment providers under Regulation 20.
Regulation 20 of S.I. 284/2016 allows a contracting authority to reserve the right to participate in a procurement to sheltered workshops and economic operators whose main aim is the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged people. At least 30% of the workforce must be drawn from this group. A separate provision at Regulation 77 allows reservation of certain health, social and cultural services to mutual or employee-owned organisations. Used sparingly in Ireland, mostly by local authorities and the HSE.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 1 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 Reserved Contract
Related terms
Lot
A subdivision of a contract that can be tendered for separately: used to open contracts up to SMEs.
Selection Criteria
Minimum requirements a supplier must meet to be considered: financial standing, technical capability, tax clearance.
Green Public Procurement (GPP)
A policy requiring public bodies to include environmental criteria in contracts: mandatory over €50k in Ireland from 2025.
Contracting Authority
A public body that buys goods, services, or works with public funds: departments, councils, the HSE, ETBs, etc.
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