Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the arrangements that have been made to deliver SICAP on the offshore Islands off the coast of Galway; when delivery of the Programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13469/24]
View answerMy Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting rural and urban communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
Due to unforeseen delays in the procurement process, Galway County LCDC in consultation with my Department Officials issued a broadcast via the eTenders system to all tenderers in Galway County, advising that the current SICAP Contract would be extended for a period of three months to the end of March 2024, to allow time for the new SICAP contract to be put in place.
The procurement process for SICAP 2024-2028 is currently ongoing. I have been informed that Galway County Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the Contracting Authority for the delivery of SICAP in County Galway, issued the successful and unsuccessful notification letters via eTenders on Thursday 14th March for the Galway Islands. However, the SICAP contract will not be signed with the successful tenderer until after the expiry of the 14 calendar-day standstill period which commenced at midnight on 14th March.
This ensures that a fair, transparent and robust process is implemented in the awarding of the new contracts whilst also ensuring the vital work the programme does in supporting those most disadvantaged and marginalised in society is continued in County Galway.
My main priority is to ensure the continuation of SICAP service delivery while the new SICAP 2024 - 2028 tender evaluation process is concluding and new contracts are put in place.
