asked the Minister for the Environment the steps which have been taken to implement the proposals contained in The Reform of Local Government published on 30 May 1986.
38.
Written Answers. - Local Government Reform.
31.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposals for local government reform indicating when such legislation will be introduced.
I propose to take Question Nos. 31 and 38 together:
The Government's policy statement entitled The Reform of Local Government which was issued in May 1985 outlined the scope and content of the reform programme.
Implementation of the first stage of the programme was provided for in the Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985. This included the rationalisation of the boundary between Dublin city and county, the setting up of three new electoral counties in County Dublin, the extension of the Galway city boundary and the upgrading of the city to county borough status.
The recommendations of the independent electoral commissions, established to advise the Government on revised boundaries for local electoral areas, were also implemented: the 1985 local elections were based on the electoral areas recommended by the commissions. Legislation is currently being prepared to complete the structural reforms in the Dublin area. Three new county councils coterminous with, and consisting of the members of, the three electoral counties, will be established. This legislation will also provide for the setting up of the Dublin Metropolitan Council as well as enabling distict councils to be established in each of the four local authority areas in Dublin. This Bill, which is being drafted at present, will be published early in 1987.
Legislation is also being prepared dealing with the general reform of the local government system. It will deal with the broader issues of structures, organisation and powers of local authorities. It will also provide for the establishement of a boundary commission to review urban boundaries. A central feature of this legislation will be the conferring on local authorities of an enhanced role in the social and economic sphere. In this regard, provision will be made for a modification of the ultra vires principle with a view to enabling local authorities to play a fuller role than heretofore in the development of local communities. This Bill will be published in the first half of 1987.
A major programme of devolution of functions to local authorities is being undertaken as part of the reform process. The policy statement outlined a series of commitments in this area and set out a number of objectives with regard to a progressive devolution of functions to local authorities which will take place either directly or on an agency basis. A devolution implementation group under the chairmanship of the Minister of State at the Department of the Public Service is working to promote, co-ordinate and generally facilitate devolution. Despite the organisational complexities of implementing the devolution proposals and the need to ensure that the measures taken are cost-effective, progress on the implementation of the devolution programme has been satisfactory.
Finally, the question of reduction of central controls relating to local authority programmes is being examined. Legislation providing for the general reform of the local government system which is being prepared in my Department will address these issues and provide for a significant loosening of controls over local authority activities.