Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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894. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the roll-out of the social inclusion and community activation programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11770/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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My 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 now been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are in the process of issuing contracts to the successful tenderers.

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. I am confident that the new programme will continue to provide key supports to those most in need in our communities.

I am satisfied that the procurement process was in line with good practice, conforming to EU norms, and I look forward to the commencement and roll out of SICAP on 1 April.

In relation to the details supplied by the Deputy, it should be noted that my Department has no role in the internal operations of such organisations. Each funding Department is responsible for its own funding and contractual arrangements with the respective entities.