Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
77. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme will reopen for applications in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10257/24]
View answerMy Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches.
Following significant engagement with various stakeholders it was determined that a procurement process would be required under EU competition rules for the next iteration of SICAP 2024-2028. The approach selected involved two phases – an initial tender, followed by a negotiation phase, where appropriate, to allow tenderers to refine their bids.
The procurement process for delivery of SICAP 2024-2028 was run on a national basis, with the responsibility for each of the 53 individual SICAP Contract Areas resting with the relevant Contracting Authorities, the 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). Formal requests for tender for 53 Contract Areas were published by the 33 LCDCs via eTenders on Monday 17th July 2023. This process was open for application to any company, group, commercial entity or other organisation that could provide the services to deliver the new Programme.
Of the 53 Contract Areas, 48 have completed their procurement processes and contracts for service delivery have now been signed. Regarding the 5 outstanding areas, extensions have been granted to ensure continuity of service delivery while procurement concludes.
Funding for SICAP totals €47.4m in 2024. Additionally, in recognition of the vital inclusion supports SICAP provides, my Department has secured additional funding of €10m in 2024 to ensure Programme Implementers are resourced to deliver supports to New Arrivals.
