Procurement Policy Updates

Government has approved a new DPER Circular designed to increase implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) obligations across the public sector. The Circular consolidates and reinforces the requirement on contracting authorities to integrate environmental considerations into relevant tenders, aligning with national climate and sustainability commitments and pointing buyers to detailed GPP guidance and FAQs on the OGP site. In practice, buyers will be expected to embed green criteria, technical specifications, and award criteria more systematically in applicable competitions, and to document compliance more clearly. For suppliers, particularly in construction, energy, transport, ICT, and facilities, this means environmental performance, certifications and lifecycle impacts will carry greater weight in award decisions.

Government has approved updated guidance to support SME participation in public procurement, including significant increases in the national advertising thresholds on eTenders. The minimum value at which **goods and services** contracts must be advertised on eTenders rises from €25,000 to €50,000 (ex VAT), and for **works** from €50,000 to €200,000 (ex VAT). The guidance also tightens transparency obligations, requiring publication of contract award information for all procurements over €25,000 and reiterates the need for proportionate financial and insurance requirements to avoid excluding SMEs. For buyers, this provides more flexibility to use request-for-quotation processes below the new thresholds, while suppliers will see fewer small-value opportunities formally advertised but better transparency on awards above €25,000.

The Office of Government Procurement has launched a large-scale market consultation on the future procurement of AI solutions across the Irish public sector. The exercise seeks detailed input from AI suppliers and technology providers on requirements, risks, and contractual approaches, including feedback on proposed AI-specific contractual clauses. While not yet a binding framework, the consultation will shape how future national or sectoral AI frameworks and competitions are structured, including compliance, ethical, and data-governance conditions. Suppliers of AI tools and services should participate to influence specifications and ensure their offerings align with the State’s emerging AI procurement standards.

Government has issued Circular 17/2025, replacing Circular 20/2019, to boost Green Public Procurement (GPP) implementation across public bodies. It provides updated instructions mandating environmental considerations in procurement processes. Irish suppliers must now prioritize green credentials in bids, while buyers integrate GPP as default for goods, services, and works, impacting tender evaluations and contract awards.

The European Commission's biennial Delegated Regulations adjusting the EU procurement directive thresholds came into force on 1 January 2026. New thresholds apply across all Irish contracting authorities: €140,000 for central government goods/services, €216,000 for sub-central authorities, €750,000 for Schedule 3 social and other specific services, €5,404,000 for works, and €432,000 for utilities sectoral goods/services. Contracts above these values must be advertised on TED in addition to eTenders. Last verified: 2026-05-05.

Ministers Donohoe and Smyth announced an update to the OGP guidance supporting SME participation in public procurement. The revised guidance encourages contracting authorities to break large contracts into smaller lots, lower turnover and insurance requirements where proportionate, and accept open-book accounting and parent-company guarantees where appropriate. Aimed at reducing barriers that have historically locked smaller Irish suppliers out of central government contracts.

Government approved a new Circular replacing 20/2019 to implement Green Public Procurement (GPP) obligations from the Buying Greener strategy 2024-2027. It mandates updated GPP instructions for government departments and public sector, with compulsory reporting to monitor progress. Irish suppliers must now prioritise green criteria in bids across sectors, while buyers integrate GPP into all procurements for circular economy goals.