Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

We are somewhat constrained by EU and Irish legislation in terms of the principle of equal treatment which provides that companies may not be discriminated against on the basis of their nationality or location. Procurement legislation and guidelines provide for that in all public contracts and contracting authorities are precluded from awarding contracts solely on the basis that work should be provided by local firms or other similarly restrictive clauses. That said, I accept the Deputy's point. Examples of conditions where one can have a clear social or environmental impact must be set out in advertisements.

Dublin City Council apply a requirement that any job vacancy beyond a contractor's core workforce be recruited where practicable from the local FÁS office. The Limerick Regeneration Agency and Dublin City Council both promote the employment of long-term unemployed people as part of their contracts. As Deputy Ellis is aware, local contractors win contracts, which can help the situation. In Waterford, six contractors from the south east of the country are delivering nine regeneration work projects. In Cranmore in Sligo nine local contractors have been employed directly or indirectly to deliver on a range of regeneration works from demolition to refurbishment to estate works. In the Mitchels regeneration project in Tralee two local contractors have been awarded construction and demolition contracts. In Cork city the recently completed €30 million project at Knocknaheeny Block D was delivered by a local contractor. That is good news but I accept Deputy Ellis's point that where possible we should employ local people who are unemployed. I would be a strong advocate of that within the confines of the system in which we must work.

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