Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
52. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the service level agreement his Department has with Pobal; the payment policy his Department employs with Pobal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8515/18]
View answerPobal is a not-for-profit company which works on behalf of the Irish Government and European Union (EU) in managing programmes that contribute to social inclusion, equality and reconciliation. The Company operates under the aegis of my Department, which has an oversight and co-ordination role in respect of the company. A comprehensive structure is in place to govern the relationship between my Department and Pobal.
As a body under my Department's aegis, the overall governance arrangements between my Department and Pobal are set out in an overarching Service Level Agreement (SLA), as required by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In addition, there are programme-specific Service Agreements in place in respect of each individual programme which Pobal operates on my Departments behalf. The previous overarching SLA relating to Pobal was signed by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in July 2015 and expired in December 2017. My Department are currently in the process of finalising the text for the new overarching Service Level Agreement/Oversight Agreement with a view to signing same in the coming weeks. The previous SLA will remain in operation until the new agreement is concluded.
An additional framework Service Level Agreement is also in place which sets out the management and accountability framework in relation to both the LEADER programme and Dormant Accounts Fund measures. This agreement was put in place in November 2016 by the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and runs until 31st December 2020, unless renewed in the meantime.
With specific regard to Dormant Accounts, Pobal was engaged as the service provider for the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2014. A service agreement between the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Pobal was put in place in April 2015 relating to the administration by Pobal of 8 measures under the 2014 Plan. The service agreement outlines the range of services to be provided by Pobal and the agreed payments to be made based on the projected levels of activity in each given year. The services provided by Pobal for specific schemes include detailed programme design, information events, application processes, application appraisal, contract administration and financial management.
A 2016 Dormant Accounts Action Plan was put in place in May 2016, again by the then Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. A transfer of functions to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs subsequently took place in June 2016. Following this transfer of functions a service agreement was put in place for the administration of 4 measures under the 2016 Action Plan. This service agreement again outlines the agreed payments to be made based on services to be provided and the projected level of activity in each given year.
All payments made to Pobal in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are covered by the service agreements for the 2014 and 2016 Action Plans. To date, Pobal have not run any measures associated with the 2017 Action Plan. Pobal are currently progressing measures on the basis of funding allocations provided for in the 2016 Action Plan and the service agreement for this plan.
