asked the Minister for Finance when he will sanction a tender in respect of the construction of Castlegor National School, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway School.
45.
Mr. Kenny
A contract has been placed for work to this school consisting of the provision of a general purposes room and a kitchen and the installation of central heating.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the person to whom the contract was awarded is not going to proceed with the work for, it seems, many months and as the manager of the school is anxious that this building should be available for pupils coming next September, would he consider revoking the contract if the present contractor is not prepared to go ahead, and allocating the contract to the next tenderer or on some agreed basis so as to ensure that the building goes ahead in time for the pupils coming in September?
Mr. Kenny
I understand that the manager is dissatisfied but if the contractor is asked by the manager and those concerned I am sure the work will start in time.
That is not so. I understand from the manager that the contractor has been asked. Obviously, it may suit him not to go ahead. Surely the Board of Works must take an interest in this to support the manager in his difficulty.
Mr. Kenny
I have a great interest in the welfare of the pupils going to school. I shall have the matter examined and it will get favourable consideration but if the contractor has a good excuse for not starting—we shall see what can be done.
If a contractor states that he has a large amount of work on hands and does not wish to proceed with this contract, is that an adequate reason?
Mr. Kenny
It might be in the agreement that he can do it within a certain period.
Then he can hold up for many months the building of an essential addition to a school?
Mr. Kenny
I do not agree with that at all.
That is what could happen——
We are now engaging in argument. Question No. 46.