Social Services Tenders & Public Procurement in Ireland
What Irish public bodies buy in Social Services, and what is open now
Irish public bodies have 7 Social Services tenders open today, worth €34.7M where the buyer put a figure on it. Waterford City and County Council, Tusla Child and Family Agency and Offaly County Council are advertising the most.
Bidding windows are short and the winners are usually the firms that saw the notice coming.
Browse open social services tenders from Irish public bodies, including community care, housing support, and welfare programme contracts. Sourced from TED (Tenders Electronic Daily), the EU's official procurement journal.
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Sorted by deadline (soonest first)8 new Social Services tenders published in the last 14 days. Subscribers receive these in the weekly Monday digest.
- SOUTHEAST HOUSING FIRST PANEL For TENANCY SUPPORTS, PROPERTY SOURCING, INTAKE, HEALTH SUPPORTS and RELATED SERVICES2026-10-19
- Bespoke Panel Arrangement for the Provision of Children’s Residential Services to complement existing community based residential services operated by/on Behalf Of Tusla - The Child and Family Agency2026-10-15
- CA18552 RFQ 2026/40 - NMANDD PEACEPLUS Thriving Together – Minority Community Support Programme - Journeys & Belonging2026-10-15
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Value Distribution
1 tender with undisclosed value
Top Buyers in Social Services
Social Services Procurement in Ireland
Social services procurement in Ireland covers community care, disability services, homelessness support, addiction services, asylum seeker accommodation, childcare, family support, and social inclusion programmes. Key buyers include Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), the HSE's Social Care Division, the Department of Social Protection, local authorities, and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Many social services are procured through grant funding or Section 39 agreements rather than formal tender processes, though competitive tendering is increasingly used, particularly for new services and accommodation provision.
Tips for Bidding on Social Services Tenders
Social services procurement often uses the 'Light Touch Regime' under EU Directive 2014/24, higher thresholds (€750,000) and more flexible procedures apply.
Tusla is the primary buyer for child and family services, monitor their procurement page as well as eTenders.
Demonstrate your safeguarding policies, Garda vetting processes, and HIQA compliance (where applicable), these are critical in evaluation.
Many social services contracts value social enterprise and community benefit, highlight your social impact and local employment practices.
For accommodation-related tenders, fire safety certification and compliance with national standards for residential services are typically mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Light Touch Regime for social services procurement?
The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to certain social, health, education, and cultural services under EU Directive 2014/24. It sets a higher EU threshold of €750,000 (compared to €216,000 for standard services for sub-central authorities, or €140,000 for central government, in the 2026–2027 cycle) and allows public bodies more flexibility in choosing procurement procedures. This regime recognises the specialised nature of social services and the importance of quality, continuity, and user involvement. Last verified: 2026-05-05.
Who buys social services in Ireland?
Major buyers include Tusla (Child and Family Agency) for child protection and family support, the HSE's Social Care Division for disability and older persons' services, the Department of Social Protection for employment and welfare programmes, IPAS for asylum seeker accommodation, and local authorities for homelessness services and community development.
Do charities and non-profits bid for Irish social services tenders?
Yes, and they are often the primary bidders. Many social services in Ireland are delivered by Section 39 organisations (voluntary bodies funded by the HSE), charities, and social enterprises. These organisations can and do participate in formal tender processes. The procurement rules apply equally regardless of legal structure, what matters is capability, compliance, and quality of service.
What standards apply to social care services in Ireland?
Key standards include HIQA's National Standards for Residential Services (for disability and older persons' care), Tusla's Quality and Regulatory Framework for children's services, the National Standards for Special Care Units, and the National Quality Standards Framework for homelessness services. Compliance with these standards is typically a mandatory tender requirement.
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