Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together. All major school building projects involve the pre-qualification of suitably qualified contractors prior to issuing an invitation to tender. This is a standard requirement under national construction project procurement procedures.

The criteria for suitability assessment, which are taken from the Department of Finance Capital Management Works Framework, include company turnover, insurances, capacity to obtain a bond, personnel for the project, previous experience, and Health and Safety competence. The standard questionnaires used by the Department are available on my Departments web-site. Tenders are evaluated on the basis of the lowest price. No other criteria apply.

When tenders have been evaluated, the design team must submit a tender report to my Department which includes a cost analysis of the recommended tender. Before a contract is put in place, the recommended bidder must also satisfy the standard requirements of securing a Bond, providing evidence of suitable insurances, tax clearance, compliance with legal obligations in regard to sick pay and pensions, producing a detailed programme of work and resources, including cash-flow, and confirmation that a Project Supervisor Construction Stage has been appointed and a project specific health and safety plan has been prepared.