An investigation into the procurement process involved in a government employment programme should be carried out as a “matter or urgency,” a Derry MLA has said.
Pat Ramsey MLA
SDLP Employment and Learning spokesperson Pat Ramsey has again voiced his concern at news none of the pre-qualified delivery partners for the new “Steps2Success” programme were based locally and has called on the Northern Ireland Audit Office to look into the process.
Mr Ramsey, who has expressed his with the Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry and the Committee over the last few months, said local firms were not being given a fair chance.
The Foyle MLA said: “I am extremely concerned we have companies from across the water as key delivery agents for ‘Steps2Success’. I have spoken out before about this, and my message remains the same.
“There must be local delivery partners who had been successful in running other programmes, and who had intricate knowledge of employers and the wider issues in their local community to run the new Steps2Success programme.
“I have made it perfectly clear to the Minister the impact of squeezing local partners out of the bidding process would have, in terms of services delivered on the ground by small community groups, voluntary groups, and employment companies.
“The SDLP lobbied the Minister to make changes to the supply chain demands, and to the regional breakdown for the contracts.”
Mr Ramsey concluded: “By ignoring this, the Minister is risking putting more people out of work across the North. I believe it is a matter of urgency that the NI Audit Office is called in to investigate the procurement process that has been restrictive and discriminatory, focusing on requirements that could only have been met by much larger companies, and that has resulted in some companies from across the water who have absolutely no local knowledge or experience, being shortlisted to deliver the Steps2Success programme.”
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