Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

We touched on this when we discussed the Estimates. I do not know the extent of the problem. I am aware of previous problems with subcontractors and with delays in payments to contractors. The only such evidence I have that schools have encountered such difficulties is anecdotal. Apparently, the process of accessing the bond mentioned by the Minister can be quite slow because the legal liabilities and so on have to be examined. The schools I know of are probably caught in that process. That is what is causing their difficulties. It was on that basis that I asked whether departmental support can be made available in these circumstances. Does the Minister know how frequently this problem is being encountered? I understand a new arrangement for public contracts has been drawn up. I accept that the problem of builders going bust does not relate directly to the school issues we are dealing with, but I am trying to get some feedback from the Minister on how schools are being affected by it.

See this speech in context