Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 4

Written Answers. - Construction Tenders.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

160 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the number of sub-contractors and suppliers on civil engineering projects, such as road building, who have been adversely affected where main contractors have under-estimated the cost of the work involved; if he will have examinations made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18888/00]

Seamus Kirk

Question:

161 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that contractors tendering for civil engineering projects in the public sector have underestimated the cost of the work in question and as a consequence find themselves in financial difficulties; if he will have considerations made into introducing safeguards to anticipate such underestimation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18889/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

Current criteria for evaluation of tenders for public projects in the civil engineering field involve the assessment of all tenders for the sufficiency of individual rates and the overall tender price. In the event of the contracting authority considering that either the rate or overall tender is insufficient, a written explanation is sought from the tenderer. In the case of inadequate explanation the tenderer is eliminated from further consideration.

Contracts between a contractor and sub-contractor do not come within the ambit of these procedures and are matters for the parties concerned.