asked the Minister for Defence if a contract for painting work to be done in Collins Barracks, Dublin, and in the Curragh Military Barracks, has recently been entered into by the Board of Works with an English contractor; and, if so, if the said contractor was the lowest tenderer, and also, what was the difference in price between the accepted tender and the lowest tender of an Irish Free State contractor for this work, if any such latter did actually submit a tender.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Painting of Military Barracks.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the contract for painting Collins Barracks, Dublin, and the barracks at the Curragh, Kildare, has been given to an English firm; whether or not the contract contains the standard fair wages clause providing that the rate of wages to be paid shall not be lower than that commonly recognised by employers and trade societies in the trade in the district where the work is carried out; if he is aware that over 150 skilled painters are at present unemployed in the Dublin district, and that the contractors have employed workmen from England to fulfil the contract, and that the rate of wages paid is lower than the recognised rate in the district, and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
The questions of Deputies O'Kelly and Davin can be more conveniently answered together.
Contracts for painting work at Collins Barracks, Dublin, and barracks at the Curragh Camp were entered into by my Department with an English firm whose quotations were the lowest received. The contracts contain the usual fair wages clause, and they provide for the employment of Irish labour to the extent of at least 75 per cent. Steps have been taken to ensure that this arrangement will be strictly observed. The rates of wages being paid are the rates prevailing in the districts concerned.
It is not the practice to disclose the difference in price between the accepted tender and the lowest tender of an Irish contractor for the work. I may add, however, that in each case the amount of the lowest Irish tender was considerably in excess of that of the successful tenderer.
Is the Minister aware that out of twenty painters employed up to recently on the job at the Curragh, ten are Englishmen, and will he take steps to see, especially in view of the fact that there are 150 painters out of work in Dublin alone, that the conditions referred to as being part of this contract will be carried out?
The 75 per cent. arrangement covers the whole time of the work. I cannot say whether at any particular time it may be exceeded or not. The rate of wages is the rate prevailing in the district.
In the district from which the English painters come or in the district where the work is being done?
Where the work is being done.
Is the Minister aware that in all contracts of a public nature preference is given to local contractors in the Six Counties and in England as against Free State contractors? In view of that fact, will the Minister consider it advisable in future to give a preference to contractors in the Free State?
We always do.
What percentage of preference is given?
What percentage do you think should be given in this case?
What percentage is given?
A good percentage is given, but not the percentage of the difference between the lowest Irish tender and this contract.
In referring to the district rate of wages, am I to take it that the Minister is referring to the rate paid in the Dublin area?
Where the work is.
My information is that that rate is not being paid.