Response to DCENR

Item 49: Accommodation of the Construction Workforce

Accommodation Studies/Analysis

During the tendering phase of the Terminal Construction Management Contract, subsequently awarded to PM Group, the Bidders were to address the issue of accommodation for Construction Workers employed by the various discipline contractors up to estimated peak level. In the Tender Submissions all Bidders identified that there was sufficient accommodation, following on the ground research, in the area to facilitate the accommodation requirements of the Construction of the Terminal. These findings complemented earlier studies commissioned by SEPIL/Enterprise Energy Limited that there was sufficient accommodation in the area to address the estimated requirements. This has proven to be the case.

Invitation to Tender –Mobilisation Plan

At the Invitation to Tender phase all Bidders are requested to present their proposed mobilisation plans which includes how/where they will accommodate their workers who do not normally reside in the area. All Bidders are referred to “Living in Erris”, a Corrib project booklet issued to all workers engaged on the project which identifies key information regarding expected behaviour, code of conduct, driving policy, accommodation and subsistence information, medical facilities and emergency phone numbers. All contractors are expected, and do, take responsibility for their worker behaviour whilst residing in Erris. This expectation is identified from the outset by SEPIL.

Project Peak Requirement for Accommodation in Erris

The table as below is an extract from an analysis on Project Spend in Erris that was carried out in May 2009. This stage of the project represented a peak in Onshore Workforce Resources i.e. 1,432 . In the table below the total headcount is broken out against the 3 locations of work – the Bellanaboy Terminal, the Pipeline Landfall, and the Office.

The 3 elements of accommodation are identified as:

(4.1) Resident in Erris – thereby not requiring accommodation

(4.2) Resident outside Erris and travelling into the Terminal everyday (locations such as Ballina, , , Westport) – thereby not requiring accommodation in Erris.

(4.3) Those workers engaged on the project who reside in Erris during the week by way of rented accommodation, B&B and Hotels. In essence 881 persons were facilitated in such accommodation in Erris.

The estimated workforce to complete the project, including the proposed modified pipeline route, will not reach these levels. It is estimated at this stage that there will be a peak accommodation requirement in Erris to satisfy the requirements of 500 maximum. Accordingly this requirement will be readily facilitated in the context of the 881 persons referenced above.

15th September 2010 1

Response to DCENR

Accommodation Bellanaboy Glengad Pipeline Belmullet Total Erris Terminal Site Landfall Office Accommodation 4.1 Resident in Erris 234 72 14 320 4.2 Resident outside Erris 200 19 12 231 and travel into Terminal everyday 4.3 Renting 578 290 13 881 Accommodation/Hotel/B&B in Erris during the week

Practicalities of Accommodation Process

Personnel engaged on the project source rental accommodation as follows;

(a) A relationship was initiated with Iorrais Domhain, an organisation that promotes tourism in Erris, whereby a database of available rented accommodation was set up. Personnel employed on the project were directed to this organisation by their respective companies to source accommodation. People in the locality were advised to register availability of rental accommodation on this database.

(b) Subsequently people in the locality who had accommodation available for rental were facilitated by being allowed to advertise in the respective site canteens.

(c) As the project matured and different disciplines of personnel were engaged they were facilitated in rental accommodation which was used by those whose scope of work/employment was completed. This was done by word of mouth at site.

(d) Furthermore the project has Community Liaison Officers employed who are used to facilitate enquiries regarding the requests for and availability of rental accommodation.

(e) During recent years, Belmullet saw a significant increase in residential developments to such an extent that availability outstrips demand.

Funding of Accommodation by Contractors

The Contractors engaged on the Corrib Project have to comply with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) of Ireland regulations with respect to lodge and subsistence. Accordingly all workers who do not normally reside in Erris have an entitlement to €176 per week tax free. Hence there is no issue with respect to ability to pay for lodgings and subsistence. The Corrib Project has a full time Industrial Relations Consultant engaged and if there are any issues with respect to pay or conditions all workers have full and unhindered access to him to have issues addressed.

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