Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

403 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to the proposed extension and other capital developments at the Christian Brother's secondary school, New Ross, County Wexford, his attention has been drawn to the fact that a design team appointed by the board of management in good faith has done substantial work on the project and will have to be paid; the reason his Department continues to insist that an alternative design team be appointed with consequent duplication of work and waste of scarce resources; if he will sanction completion of the work by the design team already engaged in the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22569/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The managerial authorities of the Christian Brothers' secondary school in New Ross appointed a design team prior to my Department agreeing schedules of accommodation and without reference to my Department. School authorities have never been delegated sanction to engage consultants in the expectation that my Department would be bound by any such arrangements. Acceptance of such arrangements would almost certainly contravene public procurement procedures with which my Department must ensure complete adherence.

The procedures employed by my Department for the appointment of consultants are designed to ensure that relevant EU and national procurement regulations are adhered to and that the systems used are transparent, fair and equitable. Consistent with my Department's procedures, nominations for the appointment of a design team to commence architectural planning of the proposed project at this school have been provided to the school's board of management. Unfortunately, architectural planning of the project cannot begin until the board appoint a design team from the nominations provided.