State must help school row firms

SPIN doctors are shouting about getting the economy back on its feet and are singing the praises of our SME sector.

But it seems small businesses only matter to our Government when it suits them.

Cash-strapped sub-contractors remain camped outside new school buildings protesting over €13million owed to small firms.

They want Education Minister Richard Bruton to help them but he insists his hands are tied.

Dozens of workers have been let go because these sub-contractors are flatlining.

These tradesmen are the collateral damage after the Government privatised building new schools to a foreign consortium.

The Department of Education shook hands with the Dutch Infrastructure Fund who hired UK giant Carillion, which in turn did a deal with Ireland’s Sammon Contracting Group.

Both Carrillion and Sammon went bust this year leaving 350 sub-contractors not just without pay, but also still owing money to their own suppliers for materials.

The State has yet to take charge of the schools from the Dutch fund, so why won’t the Minister hold crunch talks with them?

The consequences are serious for students as well.

These workers need to get paid so they can go in and finish the job in time for the beginning of term in September.