174 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for the decision in 2008 to appoint a company (details supplied) as the provider of occupation health services to her Department; the tendering process employed to make this appointment; the other companies who tendered for this work; the fee per consultation paid by her to the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48413/10]

A contract to provide an occupational health service for teachers was awarded in 2008. My Department sought proposals on the open market for the provision of the service and, as a result of an EU competitive tendering process, the successful company was selected based on the following criteria: Expertise and Skills Cost of Providing Service Quality and Technical Merit Management and Service Structure.

Fees paid to the company are not based on a per consultation basis but rather are based on a fixed annual rate.

Five other companies participated in the tender and I will arrange to have the details of those companies forwarded to the Deputy.