THE OFFICE OF Public Works (OPW) is set to spend an estimated €10m on the provision of event catering and hospitality services for State dinners, high-level lunches and other State events at Dublin Castle, Áras an Uachtaráin and other State venues.

The OPW has issued the €10m tender for a busy schedule at Dublin Castle and other State venues in 2026 as Ireland prepares to host the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.

According to the tender, the OPW is to set up a multi-party Framework Agreement for the provision of event catering and hospitality services across several State venues including Dublin Castle, the North Range of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Botanic Gardens, Áras an Uachtaráin, Iveagh House and Farmleigh.

The contract is for a two-year period and the tender states that the term of the Framework Agreement will include the period of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU.

The tender states that from 1 July to December 2026, an extensive programme of between 130 and 160 meetings, events and conferences will be organised by Government Departments and official bodies in Dublin Castle and across OPW State venues as part of Ireland’s EU presidency.

The scope of the required services will range from high-level government meetings, high-level lunches, dinners, receptions, conference dining and State dinners.

The OPW state that it anticipates that a minimum of three and a maximum of six suppliers will be appointed to the Framework Agreement and specific contracts will be awarded using a rotation agreement.

The tender documentation states that the scope of the required services comprise menu design, preparation, delivery and service of food and beverages for formal and informal functions.

At large-scale meetings of Government leaders, the tender states that high-quality, seasonal, organic food in a bespoke designed menu is to be provided with locally sourced ingredients with provenance highlighted where possible.

The tender states that the Framework Agreement will come into effect early in the second quarter of 2026 for an initial period of one year, with the option of extending the Framework Agreement for a further period of 12 months.

The tender states that few events are anticipated in the period to 1 July 2026 while an extensive programme of between 130 -160 meetings, events and conferences will be organised by government departments and official bodies in Dublin Castle and across OPW State venues during the six-month Ireland EU presidency.

The tender states that companies seeking to tender must have an annual turnover of €500,000 or more for the last three years.

The closing date for the submission of tenders is 23 January next.