Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problems associated with building a new school block for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 which remains partially built and the third contractor still not on site to complete the long awaited school building; the steps he and his officials will take to ensure speedy completion of the building works which started three years ago; the reason the cheapest contractor is always engaged when the experience at this school shows that this is not always the most prudent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38246/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently authorised the issue of the letter of intent to the recommended contractor. This contractor must now produce certain documentation such as a bond, insurances, tax clearance etc. Subject to receipt of all the required documentation and provided no further issues arise, it is anticipated that the contractor will commence on site later this year. Compliance with public procurement procedures requires that the tender from the most economically advantageous tenderer (i.e. the preferred bidder) be examined in the first instance. It is not possible under national/EU procurement rules to pass over the preferred bidder and proceed to award a public contract to one of the other (more costly) tenderers.