Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2017
237. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the person who requested legal advice (details supplied); the basis of the request; the reason there was a different approach taken to Galway; if he will provide the legal opinion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume the Deputy is referring to the Lot basis used for delivery of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).
The SICAP programme is implemented by 46 Programme Implementers in 51 geographic areas (known as Lots). These Lots were determined by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in 2014, prior to the commencement of the current programme, which comes to an end on 31 December this year.
In advance of the commencement of the procurement process for the new programme, SICAP 2018 - 2022, which will roll out from 1 January 2018, legal advice was sought by my Department, inter alia, in relation to the Lot delivery structure. Based on the legal advice received by the Department it was decided that the new programme should be tendered for on the basis of the existing Lot areas (as previously determined by the LCDCs). I can confirm that all Lot areas in the country were treated on the same basis.
As the Deputy is aware, Legal Advice is subject to privilege and it would not be appropriate, in the circumstances, to provide it to any third parties.
