Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I always have taken on board good suggestions from all sides of the House whenever I deemed them to be good suggestions. Sometimes the problem is who is to be the arbiter of the good suggestion. As Deputy Ó Cuív will be aware, I have an open mind on matters.

The proposals outlined in the 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. I thought Deputy Ó Cuív would welcome that development concerning a democratic input at local level. The proposals are leading in terms of 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 or 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 new social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP. They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore. I know that Deputy Ó Cuív will welcome that because he started the process himself.

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 SICAP is subject to a public procurement process. The process is a competitive one that is open to local development companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations, such as the National Collective of Community Based Women's Network, NCCWN, that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new programme. On the contrary, therefore, I am not withdrawing funding. I am giving an opportunity for all the groups I have just mentioned to tender for the SICAP programme.

The process comprises two stages. Stage 1 is currently underway. At stage 2 the LCDCs will procure the programme locally. Applicants at stage 1 must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the lot or lots applied for. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes - for example, smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations - are invited to submit joint applications.

Partner candidates have a role in the delivery and implementation of the programme. All such partner candidates must be identified in the qualification questionnaire and a contracting arrangement may be required between the lead candidate and any partner candidates. Candidates may rely on the resources of other entities in order to establish the suitability requirements on condition that they can prove to the satisfaction of Pobal that they will have these resources at their disposal when necessary.

All proposals received will be assessed in accordance with the assessment criteria notified within the application documentation and any contract or contracts will be awarded on the basis of bids received from qualifying applicants from stage one. Pobal is assisting my Department and the LCDCs in the preparation of tender documentation and the assessment criteria which will form part of stage 2. The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest under stage one of the process is 12 noon on 11 July 2014. I am not withdrawing any funding, therefore, but am putting the programme out to tender.

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