Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if any concerns have been conveyed to him in relation to non-payment, underpayment or late payment for work done on projects funded by his Department since his appointment in March 2011. [56417/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department sanctions funding under a variety of capital programmes in the housing, water services, environmental, fire services, libraries and other areas; the relevant projects are implemented primarily by local authorities who act as contracting authorities in most instances.

It is the responsibility of the relevant contracting authority to ensure that procurement guidelines are complied with and that the relevant provisions of public works contracts, including provisions relating to employee protection and payment terms, are fulfilled.

I am aware in general of difficulties in regard to these issues on construction contracts. On public works contracts, more stringent requirements are contained in the new public works contracts, introduced in 2007, to protect workers. In recognition of difficulties in this regard in the construction sector, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors who have been denied payments from bigger companies. My colleague Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is addressing, in the context of the Construction Contracts Bill 2010, the issue of non-payment to construction sector contractors, subcontractors and sub-subcontractors in respect of all contracts.