Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that it was not necessary to undertake a competitive tendering process in the context of the review of the community development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28703/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the review of the design of the Community Development Programme (CDP) and Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP).

Against the background of reforms underway by my Department, ongoing concerns to strengthen programme delivery and evaluation, and issues confirmed by a VFM Policy Review of the LDSIP, my Department was eager to access independent international expertise. It was in this context that, in consultation with the Office of the Minister of Children & Youth Affairs (OMCYA), my Department considered the Centre for Effective Service (CES) as offering a particular opportunity to support programme redesign, while overcoming the usual constraints of local interests and difficulty in accessing international expertise.

The CES also offered capability to set out tangible, deliverable, qualitative outcomes for the LDSIP/CDP and wider programmes. In addition, my Department's view was that the CES would be in a position to provide ongoing mentoring on programme efficiency and evaluation over a number of years. The concept for the CES grew from an idea formulated initially by the Atlantic Philanthropies in the context of the provision of children's services – most notably the early childhood intervention project in Tallaght, Dublin. The CES was subsequently established as a joint venture between Government and the Atlantic Philanthropies.

Consequently, in 2008 my Department engaged the CES to assist with the redesign of its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the LDSIP and CDP. Key outputs agreed with the CES were the review of the design of both programmes, which, informed by good international practice, would specify outcomes at the outset and provide effective evaluation mechanisms. It was also agreed that any proposals put forward should facilitate effective evaluation of the performance of local delivery structures and allow for either the re-alignment or merger of the two programmes.

Under an agreement signed in October 2008 between my Department and the OMCYA with the CES, each will provide c€500,000 per annum to the Centre for 5 years. This amount will be matched by a contribution from the Atlantic Philanthropies of c€5m over the period. The agreement, which ends in 2012, sets out in detail deliverables to be provided over this period to each public body, as well as timelines for progress. Given -

the unique nature of this project as a joint approach between Government and the Atlantic Philanthropies, particularly in the context of Government initiatives on children's services; -

the not-for-profit remit of the CES; -

the unparalleled access which CES has to international expertise on the design, delivery and evaluation of social programmes; and -

the significant support available from the Atlantic Philanthropies; my Department did not consider that a competitive tendering arrangement was appropriate in this case.