Patricia Ryan
Ceist:446. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the modular units being installed in Dara Park, Newbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (446)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department, with the OPW as the contracting authority managing the site preparation and the acquisition and installation of the modular units on the sites.
As you may be aware, the rollout of the modular homes programme is classified as a ‘matter of extreme urgency’ under the EU Directive governing procurement regulations. The OPW has decided to procure this project using the negotiated procedure without prior advertisement, as set out in Regulation 32 of S.I. No. 284/2016 - European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (the “Regulations”). In particular, the use of this procedure is justified on the basis of Regulation 32 (2)(c), which permits its use, inter alia, “insofar as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency not attributable to the contracting authority and brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, the time limits specified for the open procedures or restricted procedures or competitive procedures with negotiation cannot be complied with”.
However, in order to enhance the transparency of the procurement process, and to ensure the best competitive outcome, my Office decided to procure the Main Contract using a competitive procedure, albeit one designed to meet the urgent requirements of this project. This procedure involved inviting main contractors, to submit a combined qualification and tender submission.
The main contractor will deliver the programme of works necessary to ensure that the installation of volumetric modular units can commence before the end of the year. The main contractor will have responsibility for all site enabling works and will also be arranging for the acquisition, transportation and installation of the modular units which will have to meet the standard set by the OPW. In turn the main contractor has gone out to tender to manufacturers for the supply of modular units for delivery towards the end of 2022 and into early 2023. The cost of this programme of works is not yet finalised due to the ongoing tender process.