Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 23: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that local trades persons, general operatives and builders get an opportunity to seek employment in the area in which construction is taking place in view of the the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27304/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012 - 2016 is primarily focused on the areas of jobs, education and health. Within the programme there is considerable emphasis on more labour intensive projects which provide greater opportunities for job creation. This is typically demonstrated by the broad range of projects that the Department of Education and Skills are tasked with delivering which includes 40 new schools and the expansion of 180 existing schools.

In undertaking a construction project, contracting authorities will normally procure the services of a competent building contractor who has the financial and technical capacity to safely deliver the project in question. The rules governing the awarding of public contracts have provisions which allow the specification of social criteria, such as the requirement that a certain portion of the workforce be recruited from the long-term unemployed, as a condition of the performance of the contract. Any such provision must be compatible with EU law, i.e. they must be made known to all interested parties and must not restrict participation by contractors from other Member States. Subject to this, contracting authorities have the discretion to apply such conditions, where appropriate.