Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Small to Medium Donegal Firms Blocked From Bidding On Construction Of Finn-valley Leisure Centre - Doherty

Published: 2 February, 2010

Senator Doherty made this call after being contacted by Donegal contractors who are unable to bid to construct the new Ballybofey/Stranorlar Leisure Centre as a result of these strict guidelines.

Senator Doherty said

"It is crucial that companies in Donegal are able to apply for and construct state funded projects. This is of ever more importance now given the high levels of unemployment in this county with nearly 21,000 people on the live register and a large section of these having previously worked in the Construction Industry. For too long in this county we have seen state funded projects being awarded to contractors from outside the region while more and more of our skilled tradesmen join the dole queues and small to medium sized companies go out of business. This need not be the case. There are a number of measures that can be taken that would reverse this trend which include,

- A relaxed criteria for tender qualification so that smaller firms can apply.
- Breaking contracts up into smaller components to allow small firms to apply to construct part of the contract.
- Introduce a labour cause on all state contracts compelling companies that are awarded contracts to employ local labour.


"However, the reality is that this Government has ignored my proposals and the vast majority of Donegal companies are not in a position to bid for these contracts as a result of criteria set down by the Government. This discrimination against small and medium Donegal companies can be seen again in the pre-tender process for the Ballybofey/Stranorlar Leisure Centre.

Senator Doherty added,

"Donegal County Council is currently seeking companies to apply for pre-qualification to submit tenders for the project. However, it is only contractors with an annual turnover of €10 million, mechanical contractors with an annual turnover of €2 million and electrical contractors with an annual turnover of €1.5 million that need apply. Over the past number of days I have been informed by those working within the sector that not only will it rule out their company but also the vast majority of companies in Donegal.

"The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment needs to step in and stand up for Donegal by ensuring that this discriminatory criteria is removed or relaxed." ENDS



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Donegal Sinn Féin