Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

563. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 522 of 10 November 2015, if the meeting he held with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) during the tendering process for Telecare has been investigated by Pobal. [43731/15]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

564. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 522 of 10 November 2015 why an organisation (details supplied) was not excluded from the procurement process on the basis of clause 6.7 of the tender document, which states that canvassing will disqualify. [43732/15]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

565. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to set out details on the members of the panel who decided on the award of the Telecare contract, including their academic and technical qualifications relevant to adjudicating on tenders for such a contract. [43733/15]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

566. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government why Muintir na Tíre has been permitted to work in conjunction with Pobal in administering the senior alert scheme, given the close links between Muintir na Tíre and a company (details supplied), and the potential conflicts involved. [43734/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 to 566, inclusive, together.

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of Pobal, who took over this role in September 2015 given that organisation’s significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.

The assessment of the tenders for the Seniors Alert Scheme, including the award of contracts, was managed separately by Pobal, an independent company, following a public advertisement on eTenders on 20 October 2014. This process was conducted in a robust manner consistent with EU and national Procurement Guidelines.

Membership of the panel established for the tender evaluation process comprised four staff members of Pobal with experience in tender evaluation and grant administration and one representative from my Department who has experience in EU procurement, particularly in relation to IT contracts. The panel’s evaluation report was submitted to Pobal senior management, who ultimately decided on the matter and approved the recommendations therein.

It should be noted that Pobal was supported in its work by external independent experts in procurement. Pobal has clearly indicated that there was no interference with the tender process or its outcome by any third party. Accordingly, the organisation referred to was not excluded from the process.

As part of the roll out of the new service model, Pobal, in conjunction with my Department, organised a number of information meetings in relation to the transition of the scheme to Pobal. I understand that a number of individuals and groups, including Muintir na Tire, are continuing to engage with and work in collaboration with Pobal on the new service model in order to continue to provide support to the community groups who provide an excellent service for the elderly.