COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 12, 2021

QUESTION NO.10

QUESTION: Councillor L. Dunne

To ask the Chief Executive, if any social clauses have been included in council procurement contracts? If so, could you list the number of contracts which have social clause provisions, in addition to specifying the nature of these social clauses?

REPLY:

A variety of social considerations are included in all public procurement processes and contracts as a result of statutory requirements. These include areas such as health and safety, equality and employment law.  The appropriateness of including additional social considerations needs to be examined on a contract by contract basis.  The Council’s commitment to including social clauses is reflected in the Council’s Corporate Procurement Plan.

Social clause provisions form part of contracts for two library construction projects and two housing development projects: 

• North Clondalkin Library
• Castletymon Library
• Kilcarbery Housing Development
• Killinarden Housing Development

The nature of the social clauses are social employment clauses.  The clauses all contain similar provisions, summarised below:

• A percentage of the aggregate number of person weeks to be carried out by individuals who were registered on a national unemployment register for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately prior to their employment
• A percentage of the person weeks to be carried out by individuals employed under a registered scheme of apprenticeship or equivalent national training or educational work placement arrangement

The construction of the library at North Clondalkin was completed last year and the library in Castletymon is almost complete. The average percentage of social employment hours recorded for the libraries contracts is in excess of the 5% minimum specified in the social employment clause. The scope of employment chiefly relates to site security but also includes some apprenticeship.

The contract for the Kilcarbery housing development is due to be signed imminently, while the tender process for the Killinarden housing development is ongoing.