Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
646. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of capital project contracts final accounts that have exceeded the tender value by more than 20% in each of the years 2010 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44813/20]
View answerHigher education institutions act as Contracting Authority for the majority of capital projects delivered in the higher education sector.
Based on information compiled by this Department, which relates to capital projects over €5 million only, there have been four projects co-funded by the Department and a further five projects completed without Department funding in the higher education sector since 2010 where there was a difference of 20% or more between the contract sum and the final account.
It is important to note that there are a number of factors that can lead to a difference between the contract sum and final account, including contract variations that are introduced by the Authority and that are of benefit to the Authority. While every effort is made to keep variations to a minimum, there will be circumstances – particularly on large, complex projects – in which a contract variation is necessary.
