COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 12, 2010

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor E. Coburn

To ask the Manager why the Boherboy Water Supply Scheme which went for tender in June 2006 was not a fixed price contract and to outline in detail the statutory provision in relation to the Government announcement on 20 May 2006 with regard to the public sector construction procurement reforms, The Capital Works Management Framework?  (Original announcement May 2004 as per answer to Q2 May 2010 Council meeting)

REPLY:

While the announcement to move to fixed price contract was made in May 2006 it was only by  Department of Finance  Circular 33/06 dated 27th October 2006 that revised arrangements for the procurement of public works projects and for the engagement and payment of construction consultants were introduced.

The revised arrangements for the procurement of public works projects were to be put in place by 19th February 2007. While there were many Government announcements regarding the roll out of the new Forms of Construction Contracts the official date for their implementation was 19th February as per the above circular. The commencement of the new forms of contract was also conditional on the receipt by local authority staff of relevant training which was provided by the Department of Finance in August 2007.

The Council received approval from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advertise for tenders for the Boherboy Water Supply Scheme on 2nd May 2006 and the closing date for tenders was 27th November 2006.

Prior to advertising for construction tenders the planning of the scheme took about four years to prepare contract documents, undertake site investigations, secure wayleaves and acquire land for the two reservoir sites.

As can be seen from the foregoing the Council was fully compliant with Government policy and regulations and it was important to commence the scheme as early as possible to address deficiencies in the existing water supply infrastructure and to provide for future development.