Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:212. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria for the social farming scheme; and if proposals (details supplied) qualify. [10810/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 March 2018
Ceisteanna (212)
Freagraí scríofa
I have not yet made my decision on the allocation of funding for Social Farming in 2018. If and when requests for tenders are issued, they will be publicised through my Departments Press Office. Any future request for tenders will be along a similar basis as 2017 and the award criteria will be set out in the procurement documents.
In previous years, the services comprised the provision of supports under a funding framework for substantial new or existing social farming model project where Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on farms as a form of a social support service. Funding is for current expenditure only and funding for capital works/expenditure will not be considered.
Last year the contracts for social farming were awarded following a procurement process and the award criteria in place were :
- Proposals which have a national reach/benefit;
- Proposals which are open and visible to the public and will thus raise awareness of Social Farming;
- Proposals which can establish or develop a best practice model for social farming;
- Proposals which promote the concept of social farming to a wider audience, as well as supporting individuals who are already involved in social farming nationwide.