asked the Minister for Education if a contract has been awarded to any firm to replace and fit new windows in Ballinmere national school, Tullamore, County Offaly; if the contract in question has been awarded to a firm (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if a tender was received from another firm (details supplied) in County Offaly for the purpose of supplying and fitting these windows; if the tender of this firm was lower in price than that of the firm to whom the contract was allocated; if so, the reason the contract for the windows was not allocated to the lowest tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter, including whether any firm was given an opportunity to submit a second tender when other firms were not given this opportunity.
Written Answers. - Ballinmere (Offaly) National School Windows.
The tenders in respect of the replacement of windows at the national school referred to by the Deputy were invited by the school authorities on the advice of the local Office of Public Works. Following examination of the tenders it emerged that the contractors had included for a more extensive range of works than had been approved and that the tenders were not comparable.
The administrator of the parish took the decision to reinvite tenders for the approved works following consultation with the Office of Public Works. Company No. 2 referred to by the Deputy was not excluded in the panel of contractors who were re-invited to tender.
The decision to re-invite tenders was principtally the responsibility of the administrator and my Department would not be in the position to go against his wishes in the matter or the general advice of the Office of Public Works architect. Neither the Department nor its professional advisers are party to the contract. The function of the Department is to pay the appropriate grant when the work is completed.
I understand that the administrator of the parish has now placed the contract for the works.