Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the provision he has made in the case of direct funding school building projects for the payment to suppliers of equipment and materials to sub-contractors employed by the main contractors when such sub-contractors do not discharge their debts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12011/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Contracts for school building projects (and indeed all public works building contracts) comply with either the GDLA-1982 form of contract or the new Department of Finance form of contract for public capital projects. My Department has no authority to change the terms of these contracts.

In general all sub-contractors employed on school building projects are employed directly by the Main Contractor or indirectly by the Main Contractor through other sub-contractors. It is a matter for all sub-contractors to agree terms and conditions and a schedule of payments with their direct employer.

A school building project is a complex arrangement of contractual relationships between the client, the main contractor, specialist sub-contractors, domestic sub-contractors, suppliers of materials, suppliers of plant etc. Where my Department is the Client its relationship is with the Main Contractor and my Department (or indeed any client) cannot take responsibility for resolving disputes within the chain.