1518. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total value of non-compliant public procurement identified within his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57202/26]

The statement on internal financial control in the annual Appropriation Accounts sets out the system of robust internal financial and procurement controls and approval processes which are in place in my Department. The 2025 Appropriation Accounts are currently undergoing examination by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) and are expected to be published later this year.

Included in those accounts currently under examination, in line with Circular 40/2002, are details of contracts awarded without a competitive process. These details will only be cleared for publication after the OCAG has completed its examination so unfortunately I am not in a position to provide these details to the Deputy at this stage.

Procurements in 2026, including any not in compliance with the circular, will be considered in the context of my Department's 2026 Appropriation Account which will be subject to similar examination by the OCAG in 2027.

Procurements undertaken by the bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for those bodies.