Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was appalled at the revelations at the Committee of Public Accounts yesterday that Sammon Contracting received 98% of the payment it was owed under the public private partnership contract but none of the payments were passed on to the subcontractors. Ever since the umbrella company Carillion collapsed earlier this year, this has been a mess. Carillion collapsed, Sammon went into examinership and these contractors were never paid. This is nothing short of disgraceful. Where is the accountability? The contractors deserve good pay for good work. They worked hard for it and they should not lose out. They have families and employees to support and a future to protect, and we have to do something.

I am utterly disappointed with the news that yet again, Carlow has been left at the bottom of the list to have promises delivered. While contractors are now in place at two Wicklow schools and one Wexford school for work to be completed in September, Carlow was scheduled for December. I have spoken about our case for a long time and it is frustrating to see Carlow left with a longer timeframe, despite 90% of the school being complete. A December completion date is better than none but it is unfair on the new secondary school students to have to uproot halfway through their first year in a new school and a new system. I am not happy with any of this. I want the Minister for Education and Skills to explain how we can pay someone for a job not done. This is taxpayers' money and there are subcontractors who have not received a penny.