Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
312. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the repeal of EU Directive 2004/18/EC before the tender for the social inclusion and community activation programme was issued; and if he will outline the legal basis for the issuing of the tender. [27958/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government “as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably”.
As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.
My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m pending the roll out of the new SICAP.
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice, and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, the Programme is subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway.
My Department is obliged to adhere to the rules under Directive 2004/18/EC. Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement comes into effect on 18th April 2016. I am satisfied that the process underway takes account of all recent developments in the law of procurement.
