Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
885. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the contractors administration services are required to give advance notice of a visit to a construction site; if so, her views that this undermines their efforts to investigate questions non-compliance on school building projects; if she will consider authorising CAS to make site visits without prior notification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41470/14]
View answerSchool building projects which are funded from public monies, are required to use the forms of contract provided under the Capital Works Management Framework which includes a suite of public works contracts, standard conditions of engagement, model forms, suitability assessment questionnaires and guidance notes published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The OGP is an office within the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform which has been tasked with centralising public sector procurement arrangements for common goods and services.
As the Deputy is aware Contractors Administration Services (CAS), were appointed to conduct random audits on school building projects. These audits must be carried out in accordance with the term and conditions of the Public Works Contract which in the case of a random pay audit the contractor has 5 working days to provide the requested information. It is not open to my Department to deviate from these terms and conditions.
