Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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293. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will issue guidelines to local authorities for the application of social contracts to council capital projects, such as social housing or libraries. [20534/16]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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301. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any barriers to local authorities including social contracts, similar to those used by central government in Grangegorman or Irish Water in capital projects, such as social housing construction or provision of other local services, such as libraries. [20531/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 301 together.

Local authorities have scope to include social contracts in social housing or library construction projects, as evidenced by Limerick City and County Council, which has incorporated a social benefit clause, targeting long term unemployed and youth unemployed, into their framework agreements for contractors. Similarly, Dublin City Council is piloting a Community Benefit Clause in the First Phase of the Dolphin House regeneration project.  I understand that Dublin City Council intend to use it also in St. Teresa’s Gardens and will review it when the two schemes are completed.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is examining social clauses with a view to assessing where they can be deployed to contribute to employment or training opportunities for the long-term unemployed. I am advised that the OGP intends to issue practical guidance to public bodies on social clauses over the coming months, which I will consider in the context of advancing social housing and libraries construction projects.