Vol. 488 No. 2
206 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a restricted list of engineers and architects is used in carrying out building works in schools in view of the fact that a school may be able to access reputable professionals at a lower cost and more expeditiously. [5985/98]
Following a public advertisement in the national print media, the Department has compiled a list of architects, quantity surveyors, mechanical and electrical engineers and structural engineers and this list is used to award design commissions for school building projects in accordance with Department of Finance circular 11 of 1987. Depending on the size of the project, the Department also uses the list to select consultants who then undergo a further selection process involving a competitive interview. It is intended to update this list on a regular basis.
The purpose of these procedures is to ensure greater openness and transparency in the awarding of commissions which are paid from public funds. Secondary school authorities are entitled to engage consultants as they see fit if they are paid from within the school's own resources. Projects involving consultancy work are subject to the terms of the European Council Directive 92/50/EEC and are also advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities where appropriate.
