Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
516. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding the current public project procurement process held by architects, engineers, chartered surveyors, construction companies and legal experts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16456/13]
View answerActivity in the construction sector has fallen from almost 25% of GNP (€39bn) in 2006 to just 7% of GNP in 2011 (€8.7bn). This has resulted in an extremely competitive tendering environment. The public capital programme generates a substantial proportion (if not the majority) of activity in the sector currently and it is not surprising, therefore, to find that tenders for works or works-related service contracts are subject to heightened levels of scrutiny.
All policy, guidance and implementation measures relating to capital projects is published on the Construction Procurement Reform website www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie where the Capital Works Management Framework provides a suite of best practice guidance, standard contracts and generic template documents are available to download for all contracting authorities to provide a consistent approach to the management of public works projects.
The Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) was introduced on a phased basis from 2007 and became mandatory for all contracting authorities through the issue of Department of Finance Circular 06/10 on 5 May 2010. The documents are updated and augmented where appropriate to respond to new developments in the industry and changes in the regulatory environment.
Matters relating to the public procurement process which are raised from time to time by contracting authorities and industry representative bodies are considered by the Government Contracts Committee for Construction and, where appropriate, amendments are made to procedures.
