Pay irregularities at half of school building sites audited

More than half of school and college building sites where pay matters have been investigated for the Department of Education have been referred on to tax, social welfare and other authorities.

The seven projects notified to the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social Protection (DSP) and National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) were the subject of some of the 19 complaints last year about 14 construction sites funded by the Department of Education.

As part of its €2.1bn spend on schools and colleges over five years, the department wants to ensure compliance with pay and conditions clauses in public works contracts used on all major projects.