To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) what communication his Department have had with Community Technical Aid (CTA); and (ii) the role of CTA, including any current work, within communities in Northern Ireland.

The Department for Social Development has communicated with Community Technical Aid (CTA) (now known as Community Places) in 2012 in relation to a review of the Regional Infrastructure Programme; between 2009 and 2011 as the lead partner in a consortium to assist DSD in the development of a Strategy and Policy Framework for Urban Regeneration and Community Development in Northern Ireland; and in 2007 when CTA was appointed as an intermediary body to deliver the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme. In 2012 DSD responded to concerns raised in connection with their unsuccessful expression of interest as lead partner of a consortium bidding to deliver generic support services to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) across NI. In 2007 CTA was part of a consortium appointed as the intermediary body responsible for the administration of the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme. CTA’s role as part of this consortium was to supply technical advice to successful applicants of the funding programme.

My Department is not presently in communication with Community Places.