Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the announcement today by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn T.D., of the plan to protect workers’ rights by conducting random audits in school building projects across Ireland.

Senator Moran said: "Minister Quinn is keen to ensure that building contractors are operating legitimately and are protected, while those who are avoiding their obligations under the terms of the public works contracts are reported to the statutory agency on employment rights legislation.

-- Advertisement --

"Legally all those working on State contracts must adhere to the Registered Employment Agreement (REA) working conditions, rates of pay, and pension entitlements – however this is not always the case. The Department of Education & Skills has appointed Contractors Administration Services (CAS) to conduct random audits on school building projects to verify compliance with the relevant Pay and Conditions clauses in the Public Works Contracts.

"The Government is investing €2 billion into the construction of 275 large-scale school building projects across the country, including 15 in Louth and East Meath, and it is extremely important that those who have contracts on these projects fully comply with Irish employment laws. Because of the large sums of public money involved in the capital spend of the education sector, Minister Quinn is being proactive to verify that every worker is receiving the pay and conditions they are due."

(CD/H)