Vol. 543 No. 2
856 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the powers boards of management of national schools have in the matter of appointing consultants of their choice in regard to either greenfield projects or extensions to existing schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26768/01]
When a building project is approved at a primary school, my Department advises the board of management on the steps to be taken relating to the appointment of consultants, if appropriate, including any procedures to be followed in relation to EU directives. In some cases, primary school projects are designed by the technical staff of my Department and may not require the services of external architects. For reasons of budgetary control and to ensure fairness and equity in the award of commissions, boards of management of primary schools may not engage consultants in the expectation that the resulting fees will automatically be grant aided by my Department.
