Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the tender process for the construction of new school buildings; the criteria upon which decisions are based; if he intends to introduce any initiatives to support local businesses or unemployed tradespeople in engaging with the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15452/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

School building projects are tendered in line with public procurement procedures. There are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure). In both procedures there are minimum standards for participation (including previous experience, turnover, insurance, capacity to obtain a bond etc). The minimum standards for participation are stated in the Contract notice/ eTenders advertisement.

For less complex projects of a small to medium scale, the open procedure is generally used and all contractors meeting the minimum standards are entitled to submit a tender (thus facilitating the inclusion of small to medium enterprises and those with no experience in educational projects).

For larger or more complex projects, where it is considered that pre-qualification of contractors is warranted, the Restricted procedure is normally used. In the Restricted procedure, there is an intermediary qualification stage during which the numbers of applicants is reduced (or restricted) to a specified amount (normally 10). The criteria for suitability assessment, which are taken from the Department of Finance Capital Management Works Framework, include company turnover, insurance, capacity to obtain a bond, personnel for the project, previous experience, and Health and Safety competence. Guidance on this process and standard questionnaires used by the Department are available on my Department's website.