Press release
New government webpage available to receive offers of COVID-19 assistance
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
The Office of Government Procurement recently launched a webpage to facilitate offers of assistance from businesses and other organisations that are seeking to provide supplies or services in support of the national response to COVID-19. The webpage is available at: gov.ie/covidsupplies.
Since COVID-19 arrived in Ireland, businesses and other organisations have been contacting Government and the HSE to offer their assistance with goods and services. A webpage has now been created to capture these offers in one central database, so that Government can ensure they are available to the right parts of the public service.
Commenting on the new webpage, which was developed by the Office of Government Procurement with support from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said:
"Ever since the scale of the challenge of COVID-19 became clear, businesses and organisations of all sizes, from right across the country, have come forward to offer their critical support to our public services. These offers of assistance have made a key contribution to our efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and I want to thank those behind each and every offer received.
"This new online portal will provide one central repository for all future offers and help ensure that we can direct them as efficiently as possible across the government system. I would urge any business or organisation that is considering offering assistance to the State, to please register your support on gov.ie/covidsupplies."
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, said:
"In our time of great need, it is encouraging to learn of the extent of goodwill from businesses and organisations who are eager to offer assistance in whatever way they can. This new webpage, compiled by the Office of Government Procurement, will facilitate companies in their acts of altruism, making it easier for them to support the national response. We are experiencing a time of great global uncertainty, but we are all in this together. I would encourage all those with offers of support to get in touch using the website and I thank them for doing so.
"This new webpage can be accessed through the dedicated COVID-19 pages on gov.ie where businesses, and members of the public, can find accurate, up-to-date information and guidance on Government’s response to this challenge."
For businesses or organisations to offer their assistance, or to donate goods or services, they will need to provide a number of details, including:
The public services continue to receive the vast majority of the goods and services they require through existing contractual arrangements. Anything donated or supplied as part of this fight against COVID-19 will not be considered in any future government procurement. Please also be aware that PPE required by frontline public services are currently the priority, but this may change as the situation develops.
It should be noted that this database is provided solely for this emergency period. This service does not replace the normal procurement procedures already in place. Further information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Public Procurement is available on the OGP website: ogp.gov.ie/information-notes.
ENDS
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.
For further information please contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation, press.office@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2200
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