Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Administration

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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682. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the reduced funding for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and the fact that a number of organisations have lost out in the tendering process, when the workers and their unions may expect to be consulted in respect of the knock–on employment matters that will ensue; the reason, subsequent to a Labour Court recommendation (details supplied), the workers have been completely excluded from the process to date; his plans to alter this position. [13408/15]

Photo of Ann PhelanAnn 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 establishing contracts with the successful tenderers.

In relation to the details supplied in the Question, my Department has no role in the internal operations of LDCs and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are solely for the Board of each company, as the employer, to manage. Each funding Department is responsible for its own funding and contractual arrangements with the LDCs.

My Department is, however, providing practical financial support to LDCs to facilitate an orderly closure of the LCDP and the move to the new arrangements. This includes financial assistance to companies to deal with statutory redundancy payments and such other supports as are considered appropriate in the context of the closure of the LCDP. It should be noted that Pobal are currently liaising with LDCs on these issues.

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