MEP for Ireland South, Michael McNamara, has claimed that Limerick City and County Council – along with other local authorities across Ireland – are not doing enough to ensure equal opportunities for disabled and marginalised people in the allocation of public contracts.
The criticism comes as MEP McNamara has suggested that “not one local authority” in Ireland has met standards outlined in Article 20 of the EU Public Procurement Directive – which allows for the reservation of public contracts for social enterprises that integrate people with disabilities into the workforce.
The Independent MEP hit out that “despite the clear opportunity offered by Article 20 to foster inclusion and build stronger, fairer local economies, not one local authority has integrated these provisions into their procurement practices”.
“This inaction risks Ireland falling behind in its commitments to social inclusion, employment activation, and sustainable local development,” McNamara stated.
He called on Limerick City and County Council to take “immediate action” to development public procurement policies that fall in line with Article 20.
The article permits contracting authorities to reserve the right to participate in tendering procedures exclusively for social enterprises whose main aim is the integration of those with disabilities or disadvantaged people, such as the long-term unemployed and other marginalised groups.
“Limerick City and County Council needs to act now to develop clear, transparent policies to operationalise Article 20 locally, identifying social enterprises capable of delivering public services and works, while promoting awareness amongst local businesses and communities about opportunities under socially responsible public procurement,” he said.
“Public procurement represents a powerful tool to drive positive social change, and, by enacting Article 20, Limerick City and County Council could prioritise spending that strengthens communities and provides employment for marginalised groups in society.”
MEP McNamara pointed out that, last year, Ireland’s disability employment rate was the lowest in the EU at 32.6 per cent – almost 20 per cent below the EU average.
“Action must be taken as soon as possible to bridge this gap,” he stated.
Responding to McNamara’s comments, the Council said it takes equal opportunities employment “very seriously”.
The Council said it is “proud to be an equal opportunities employer”, pointing to 133 staff (8.8 per cent of the local authority’s workforce) declaring a disability on the 2024 census.
“This is well in excess of the recommended requirement of six per cent for the public sector,” the Council said.
“We continue to support existing staff with supports and reasonable requirements as required. We also run disability and autism awareness training every year. This is an area that LCCC takes very seriously and is working towards developing further.”
As regards its public procurement policy, the Council said that it “encourages the use of award criteria in tenders that will promote environmental or green-procurement and social considerations by including environmental and social criteria when procuring goods, services, and works”.
“Social considerations, where feasible, will be included to support social policies in relation to employment opportunities, compliance with social and labour rights, social inclusion, equal opportunities, and accessibility.”
