The HSE has taken control of the construction site at St Colman’s Day Care Centre at Bunnacurry, Achill, where a new care centre is being developed on the grounds of the old Franciscan monastery. No work has taken place at the site since February according to Dooniver Plant Hire, a subcontractor employed to carry out ground works at the site. However the health service has promised to make every effort to have work on the development completed as soon as possible.
The contract was awarded to Cordil Construction which has shut down all its building sites in a bid to secure its future. According to the company it is owed substantial monies from Government and HSE contracts. All 15 Cordil sites were closed two weeks ago and at the time Cordil told staff the company had a two-week window to secure bank funding to save jobs. The Mayo Advertiser has been unable to contact Cordil to find out when or if the sites are being reopened now that the two-week period has lapsed.
The HSE issued a statement to the Mayo Advertiser on the matter. “Cordil is the appointed contractor under the public works form of Contract for Works Designed by the Employer,” the statement read. “The HSE has implemented contractual procedures with Cordil. All outstanding issues are being addressed under the terms and conditions of the Contract. The HSE is unable to disclose or discuss any formal contractual procedures with third parties.”
Louisburgh county councillor Austin Francis O’Malley raised the issue by way of a question at Tuesday’s meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum West. Cllr O’Malley looked for an update for the work that has been carried out and when the completion date is set for. “Constituents of mine from the surrounding area have made it clear to me that they are unsatisfied with the rate of progress regarding the refurbishment to date,” said Cllr O’Malley.
In a written response Frank Murphy, ISA manager, Mayo said: “The HSE will make every effort to have work on this development completed as soon as possible in accordance with contract provisions,” however there were no details of what work has been completed to date.
When completed the new facility will provide a range of therapeutic and social support services for older people and people with disabilities through the Achill parish.
Mayo Deputy John O’Mahony raised Cordil’s cash flow problem in the Dáil, stating that it was caused by the refusal of the bank to temporarily increase overdraft facilities to €2 million. He said the company was owed up to €4 million for projects already completed for the State and has many live projects ready to start.
In response Junior Minister for Enterprise and Jobs John Perry said officials from his department have assured him that all moneys due to be paid under the terms of the main contracts have been paid to Cordil, and the HSE was not made aware until recently of Cordil’s dissatisfaction with the fixed price contract process.
