Large and small businesses are missing out on public sector contracts worth around €100 million, simply because they do not pitch for them, the Department of Finance said yesterday.

The Department was launching a marketing campaign to publicise the national e-tendering website www.etenders.gov.ie

The site, launched three years go, is managed by the Department on behalf of the public sector. It is used by all public sector bodies to advertise tender opportunities.

The Department said yesterday that research had shown in many instances that businesses feel their companies are too small to win a tender.

"The reality can be different," it said. It said small companies can have a specific advantage when bidding.