Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2009
551 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount his Department spent on a consultants’ report (details supplied); the terms of reference of this project; when the report will be published; the specific actions that have followed this report within the building unit of his Department; when the report was commissioned; when it was completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9924/09]
View answerThe Consultants in question were appointed following a competitive tendering process to carry out an independent review of my Department's rental policy. An overall fee for the review has been set but no payment has been made to-date. The Consultants accepted the commission by letter dated 8th October 2008.
Officials from my Department met with the consultants in November 2008 and again in January of this year. The report will be completed later this year.
The review is ongoing and will, inter alia, cover an examination of the contract terms with providers to incorporate buy out, buy back, rental costs and relocation options if local circumstances require it. The review will involve an investigation of all existing rental contracts between schools and suppliers with a view to identifying action to reduce overall rental costs for the Department.
In the meantime, schools proposing to rent temporary accommodation must seek competitive quotes from suppliers which should allow them to take advantage of changing market prices.
