Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline any tendering arrangements that have been commenced, or are being considered, by her Department for work to be carried out by third parties to facilitate the payment and the administration of the new conservation grant to be paid by her Department; if she will provide full details of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16693/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department will require the development and implementation of requisite IT systems to deliver the water conservation grant application and payment facilities and various customer support and communications services. Every effort is being made to maximise efficiencies in this regard.

Tenders were sought for IT development via an existing Framework agreement for the on-line application and payment process and a contract is in the process of being finalised with the successful tenderer. In addition, a request for tender has been issued to provide a short term call centre facility to support the application process. The closing date for applications for this request for tenders is mid–May.