Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
609. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the outcome of the social inclusion and community activation programme tendering process resulted in five vital projects in some of the most deprived communities being axed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12673/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State and is being implemented on a transitional basis until the end of March 2015, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) on 1 April 2015. In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP is subject to a public procurement process, which is in its final stages. Tenderers have been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are in the process of establishing contracts with the successful tenderers. I am satisfied that the procurement process was in line with good practice, conforming to EU norms.
Following the conclusion of the process, Pobal will publish a Contract Award Notice in the Official Journal of the EU ( http://ted.europa.eu/) and on the eTenders website.
The primary focus of my Department is to ensure that the front-line services being supported, particularly those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities, are protected, given the need to ensure best value for the scarce resources available. The new programme will continue to provide key supports to those most in need in our communities, including those areas to which the Question refers.
