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Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 123-130

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Ceisteanna (123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of cases in which the cost of contracted training procured by SOLAS has increased post the framework agreement; the number of cases in which it did not increase beyond the framework agreement in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20401/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of contracted training procured by SOLAS; the numbers in training in these courses in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20402/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

125. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there was a great deal of confusion and inconsistency in instructions given to some applicants to tenders for SOLAS training courses regarding the use of subcontractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20403/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

126. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of points awarded on the basis of price for tenders for contracted training at SOLAS; if this was always the case; the reason this percentage was chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20404/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

127. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the scoring matrix for the tenders for contracted training at SOLAS is weighted in a way that means the cheapest tender counts for too little in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20405/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

128. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of companies that have received a contract for training at SOLAS in each of the past ten years across each education and training board and by education and training board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20406/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

129. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of each of the top ten most costly SOLAS courses provided by each education and training board in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20407/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 129, inclusive, together.

The establishment of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), the dissolution of FÁS and the establishment of SOLAS in 2013 has led to major changes in the co-ordination, funding and delivery of further education and training provision. This includes changes in the operation of contracted training where ETBs engage the services of third party providers to deliver some of their education and training provision. These services were formerly contracted by Training Centres under the remit of FÁS.

In March 2017, on behalf of the contracting authorities, consisting of 15 ETBs, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) invited expressions of interest under the restricted procedure, from suitably qualified service providers for the provision of contracted training services for which it was proposed to establish multi supplier frameworks. Each ETB is a contracting authority in respect of the services it engages. SOLAS does not act as a contracting authority but assisted with the co-ordination of contracting arrangements and engagement with the OGP. The competition was initiated in consideration of the completion of the term of the previous contracting arrangements.

Conducted by the OGP on behalf of the contracting authorities, the competition was run in accordance with the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities’ Contracts) Regulations 2016 (as amended). The competition is complete and each contracting authority is at varying stages of engagement with framework contractors.

In light of the above, I have asked SOLAS to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the information sought, to confirm what is available and to make arrangements to furnish it directly.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (130)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the building of a new school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20408/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from the relevant Local Authority under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school to which he refers.

A comprehensive technical assessment of a significant number of identified site options has been undertaken by my Department with the assistance of the Local Authority. This assessment was complex and thorough and, as a result, took a considerable length of time. However, a preferred site location has been identified and engagement with the relevant landowner is now commencing.

I can assure the Deputy that all parties are working to advance the site acquisition process as expeditiously as possible.

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