Schools Building Contractors

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (384)

Robert Dowds

Question:

384. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the tendering for the construction of new schools and extensions to schools in Lucan, County Dublin; if he will indicate which bidders have been successful in their bids to construct the various projects; and if the successful bidder is under any obligation to employees or sub contractors based locally. [16101/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The only project in the Lucan area that has been tendered recently is Scoil Mhuire, Woodview, Lucan. Construction commenced on that project in May 2012. The contractor is Ganson Building and Civil Engineering Contractors. In common with the rest of the Public Sector, capital works projects in schools are tendered under the standard Public Works Contracts as required by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC). The Guidelines require a competitive process carried out in an open, objective and transparent manner to achieve best value for money in public procurement.

Essential principles to be observed in conducting all procurement functions include non–discrimination, equal treatment, transparency, mutual recognition, proportionality, freedom to provide service and freedom of establishment. School Building Projects, including Scoil Mhuire, Woodview, are tendered in compliance with the above guidelines and requirements. While the current public works contract for the above building project does not require contractors to use local labour or materials, it is the case that building projects by their nature generally contribute to economic activity in the locality in which they are carried out. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Government Construction Contracts Committee are currently considering the possibility of inclusion of social clauses in future public works contracts. My Department will implement any future changes to public works contracts in accordance with the guidelines given.