Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

A number of months ago, the Department of Education and Science put the construction of several primary schools, two of which are in north County Wexford, out to tender. It has come to my attention that CLG, the successful company in the tendering process, subcontracted certain works to a company called OkoHaus Superstructures Limited, which has gone into receivership and a number of subcontractors within which remain unpaid. Some €14,000 is outstanding in respect of a crane hire company while the company that put the roofs on the two schools has not been paid. Approximately €200,000 is outstanding in respect of these and other companies, including scaffolders.

These are State contracts. It is not a civil matter between two people. The State asked people in the private sector to submit competitive tenders to ensure that the properties would be built. It has a responsibility to ensure that people who worked on the contract are paid. The information supplied to me via parliamentary questions and other sources is that the Department and CLG are washing their hands of the issue, claiming it to be a matter for OkoHaus Superstructures Limited.

No one in the State wants to take responsibility for anything. These schools have been built to educate children. It is a State contract and the State is obliged to ensure that those who are owed money are paid. They do not care whether they are paid by the State or CLG as long as they are paid for the work done. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, probably has a script prepared and cannot be au fait with this matter, but any company that leaves people unpaid should not be considered for any other State contract until that issue is resolved.

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