Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a construction company must have a turnover of €700,000 or greater in order to tender for the construction of primary schools; in view of the overall reduction in construction costs of recent years, if he will consider reducing this threshold and thus open up opportunities to smaller builders who have been hardest hit by the construction downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Public procurement guidelines direct that the principles of fairness and openness apply when Public Bodies acquire goods or services. The following information must be made available as part of a tendering process:

(i) qualitative selection criteria (i.e. minimum mandatory requirements) to include evidence of financial standing and technical capability;

(ii) award criteria to include the lowest price or most economically advantageous tender using various criteria such as price, period for completion, running costs, technical merit, etc.

(iii) detailed reasons to unsuccessful candidates as to why their application was rejected.

The Department's guidelines provide proportionate minimum standards for qualification and advocate the use of open procedures for projects valued less than €2.5m. This ensures that indigenous parties have equal access to the market.