Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014
67. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the investigations that have taken place into employment practices on construction sites of educational facilities, such as St Patrick's College, Drumcondra and others, where trade unions have alleged they are prevented from going on site and black economy practices are taking place. [29392/14]
View answerThe Authorities in St Patrick's, Drumcondra, have raised issues referred to by the Deputy with the principal contractor. I have also written to the principal contractor concerned in relation to the allegations. Contractors Administration Services (CAS) has been appointed by my Department to, inter alia, investigate allegations concerning compliance with pay and conditions provisions of Public Works contracts. The Authorities in St Patrick's have requested the principal contractor to allow CAS to enter the site and carry out an investigation into these particular allegations. CAS previously visited the site in October 2013. It carried out compliance checks at that time. No major issues were identified. My Department deals with similar allegations relating to other constructions sites in a similar manner. My Department also contacted NERA in March when the concerns referred to by the Deputy regarding St. Patrick's were originally raised.
