Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 3

Written Answers - Local Government Structures.

John Gormley

Question:

133 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the provisions for the implementation of the local development programme in the Local Government (No. 2) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27165/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The recently published report of the task force on the integration of local government and local development systems, copies of which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, recommends an integrated approach to local government and local development.

The report recommends movement towards more integrated structures in a series of steps, commencing now. This will see the establishment of a broadly representative development board — CDB — in each city and county local authority by January 2000, at the latest. Membership will include local government and local development interests, the social partners and State agencies operating at the local level. The CDB will develop a strategy for social, economic and cultural development for the county/city, not later than 2002, in full partnership with all interests.

A Bill to underpin the programme for the renewal of local government and to modernise local government law generally is currently in preparation for publication to mark the centenary of local government. The question of whether any legislative provision would be appropriate arising from the recommendations of the task force will be considered as work on the Bill progresses.