200 jobs to go as building firm folds
School project plans left in limbo Boss blames Carillion collapse
MORE than 200 people have lost their jobs after Sammon Contracting announced yesterday it has gone into liquidation.
The company, which employs a number of people in Co Kildare, said the collapse of UK building firm Carillion had a massive knock-on effect earlier this year.
The future of several school building projects, including the State’s largest ever infrastructure scheme, is now up in the air.
They include two post primary schools on a shared campus in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Sammon Contracting came into difficulty after the suspension of the Schools Bundle 5 PPP project to build five facilities, of which it was a sub-contractor.
Workers’ Party Meath representative Seamus Mcdonagh called for immediate efforts by the Education Minister to ensure the projects be continued as soon as possible and to protect the jobs of workers on site.
He said: “The outsourcing of these major public construction projects to Carillion and its partners has been a disaster.
“Carillion was to continue to have a role in such projects and it is vital it will not be repeated whether in the construction and running of schools, hospitals and prisons. As of now the PPP concept is in tatters. It has lost all credibility and is fatally flawed in that it leaves the State to pick up the pieces at a huge cost to taxpayers. “It also leaves thousands of pupils and parents with worry and uncertainty as they do not know when or if their new school will be delivered.” Sammon founder Miceal Sammon said it was a painful and distressing time for everyone involved.
He said: “We are devastated by the impact this has on everyone associated with our company.
“We are grateful for their patience and support as we re-establish the manufacturing side of our business and continue local employment in the area.” Education Minister Richard Bruton said he has requested his department to provide him with a completion path for the school projects.