Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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223. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the name of the successful tenderer for the information technology development, via an existing framework agreement, for the online application and payment process in respect of the conservation grant to be paid by her Department; the successful company and the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21885/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Water Conservation Grant is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The administration and payment of this grant is a significant project for the Department and requires the development and implementation of ICT systems, ICT infrastructure and various customer support and communications services. The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

Following a procurement process, a contract for the extension of payment functionality and development of a customer self-service web service for the Water Conservation Grant has been awarded to Bearing Point. The value of the contract is €637,230.81 exclusive of all taxes and exclusive of VAT. Every effort is being made to maximise efficiencies and keep costs to the absolute minimum. In this regard, it is intended that the ICT infrastructure put in place for this project will be reused for the provision of online services in the future.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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224. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the details regarding the tender for the short-term call centre facility to support the application process in respect of the conversation grants to be paid by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21886/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Water Conservation Grant is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The administration and payment of this grant is a significant project for the Department and requires the development and implementation of ICT systems, ICT infrastructure and various customer support and communications services. The procurement of services is essential to support the Department in providing a high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner and is governed by a comprehensive regulatory, legal and procedural framework.

A Request for Tender for the provision of Customer Call Centre Services was advertised on eTenders in April 2015. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 13 May 2015. The tender evaluation process is currently being finalised and the tenderers will be advised of the outcome through the normal channels.