2295. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 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. [57211/26]

I can assure the Deputy that my Department is fully committed to the principles of openness, transparency and the accountability of public bodies.

Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contract prices represent best value for money.

Public procurement practices are subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993. Procurement is also subject to internal audit within my Department.

The Deputy will be aware that under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes an annual return to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in respect of contracts above the applicable threshold which are awarded without a competitive process. These are detailed in my Department's annual Appropriation Accounts as published by the C&AG, and is subject to scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee.

While details for 2026 are yet to be compiled, my Department’s 2025 submission is currently being audited and verified by C&AG and will be published in the usual way as part of my Department’s Appropriation Account. Information relating to bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Department's direct reporting requirements can be found in the relevant annual reports of those bodies, or in the published Appropriation Accounts for the relevant Vote.