Pension contributions not paid for up to half of workers on taxpayer funded Leeson Lane project

Unite writes to OPW Minister O’Donnell seeking audit of Duggan sites

The failure by contractor Duggan Brothers to make contributions to the Construction Workers’ Pension Scheme or equivalent scheme on a publicly-funded project was raised in the Dail today (Tuesday) by Deputy Mick Barry. During Taoiseach’s questions, Deputy Barry highlighted Duggan Brothers’ non-compliance on an Office of Public Works (OPW) project in Dublin’s Leeson Lane.

Members contacted Unite some weeks ago to raise concerns regarding non-compliance on the site. Unite spoke with workers employed on the project and estimates that contributions have not been paid in respect of up to half those working on the taxpayer-funded project. Duggan Brothers’ failure to make CWPS or equivalent contributions could impact workers’ future pension and sick pay entitlements.

Duggan Brothers has refused to engage with Unite regarding its concerns, and has continuously frustrated its attempts to access the project to engage with workers on site.

Duggan Brothers has an ongoing relationship with the OPW, having been the main contractor on the Leinster House renovation and conservation project in 2021 and the deep retrofit of Tom Johnson House unveiled last week.

Unite’s Irish Secretary Susan Fitzgerald has written to OPW Minister Kieran O’Donnell highlighting the union’s concerns and asking that the OPW conduct a compliance audit of the Leeson Lane site and any other OPW sites where Duggan Brothers is the main contractor. Unite has also identified concerns regarding the possible mis-classification of workers’ employment status, and has asked that the OPW involve the department of social protection’s SCOPE section in any audit of Duggan sites.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “By neglecting to pay contributions into the CWPS or an equivalent scheme, Duggan Brothers is effectively cheating workers of their pension and sick pay entitlements. This behaviour is unacceptable anywhere, but especially on a taxpayer-funded project such as the Leeson Lane site.

“Publicly funded projects must set the standard rather than flout the rules. Unite will not tolerate taxpayers’ money being used to subsidise non-compliant employers. 

“The Minister must now act to put the OPW’s house in order, conduct a compliance audit of the Leeson Lane project and any other Duggan sites, and ensure that any outstanding pension contributions are retrospectively paid.”