Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1342. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of funding being provided to aid the remedial work at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46606/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1343. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the replacement of directly employed workers involved in the work currently taking place at a location (details supplied) and their replacement with bogus self-employed workers under RCT arrangements; if the attention of other Departments was drawn to these arrangements before funding the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46607/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1342 and 1343 together.
The difficult process of resolution of the issues relating to the development in question, involving the relevant members of the Irish Banking Federation, the Residents’ Committee, the Government and Dublin City Council, concluded with a Framework Agreement in October 2013. In recognition of the unique and exceptional circumstances which arose at this location all parties entered into this Agreement. The Framework sets out that the cost burden is shared between the State, Dublin City Council, the Irish Banking Federation and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
The refurbishment of this site is being undertaken in a number of phases, with 187 units overall being refurbished. The overall work scope relates to the extensive remediation of the residential and retail units, and extensive basement remediation including pyrite works. Thirty five of these are social housing units and another 65 units were acquired by Dublin City Council from IBRC at a nominal value (along with 4 commercial units). It is expected that the sale of these 65 residential units and 4 commercial units will significantly contribute to the cost of refurbishment.
While the full costs of the remediation have yet to be finalised, to date, €22,630,246 has been expended on the scheme.
Public Works contracts state that the contractor is entitled to ‘subcontract out works to suitably qualified, experienced and competent parties’. The employment status of workers is a matter between the contractor and his employees/subcontractors and the local authority does not have any direct role in the matter. Consequently, there is no specific mechanism in the contracts to enable Dublin City Council to prevent workers becoming self-employed.
