Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What is the policy within the Department on service level agreements for work carried out throughout the local authority sector? Why is more of an emphasis not placed on having service level agreements? That would allow us to measure standards, see what timelines are being met and evaluate the performance of the contracts and the works carried out. There seems to be a major concern in terms of how the OPW measures various projects. The Estimates suggest a reduction of local authority projects undertaken in conjunction with the OPW. There has been less of a reliance on the OPW in recent years. It seems the OPW is starting to build this up again now. Ms McGrath has suggested the OPW will be offering a number of avenues for local authorities to apply.

I have a concern over the expertise local authorities have. We have come through an embargo for a long time in the public sector. It is a major task for local authorities to become up to date and to try to carry out these projects. I have a major concern about service level agreements.