PRISON SERVICE:THE IRISH Prison Service did not hold any tendering process for contracts worth €22 million last year, representing almost one-third of all non-tendered contracts awarded by the State.
Tendering procedures by the prison service are now “receiving particular attention” from the Department of Finance, according to the report of the Comptroller Auditor General.
The report reveals Government departments and offices awarded 473 contracts in 2009 without engaging in any tendering process. These contracts had a combined value of €69.1 million.
The prison service accounted for 154, just under one-third, of untendered projects, with a combined value of €22 million.
Some 27 untendered contracts by the prison service related to the purchase of branded goods and exclusive services. These relate to the upgrade or maintenance of previously acquired goods or services, mainly information and communication technology or technical systems.
The Garda awarded the next highest number of untendered contracts, 62, at a value of €8.1 million. Some €7.2 million of this was accounted for by contracts for “proprietary goods”.
The comptroller’s report notes that in 2008 there was no tendering process for the purchase by the Garda of tyres or fuel for the force’s vehicle fleet. Some €1.58 million was paid for tyres in 2008, and €1.17 million was paid to one fuel supplier alone. This area is now covered by a tendering process.
The report reveals the level of compensation being paid to prison officers and gardaí, and to prisoners and members of the public arising from contact with gardaí or the prison service. Notable elements include:
€2.52 million in compensation was paid to 112 prison officers under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal for injury sustained at work. The single biggest award was €553,616.
Compensation and legal costs amounting to €649,142 was paid over 83 cases taken by prisoners for injuries sustained in jail. The biggest payment was €66,203.
Total compensation paid out by the prison service jumped to €4 million last year, from €2.8 million in 2008.
€11.9 million in compensation and legal fees was paid out in 277 cases taken by members of the force under the Garda Síiochána.