Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Local Government Reform.

Austin Deasy

Question:

46 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to transfer to elected members of local authorities certain powers currently vested in county and city managers, for example, planning and the allocation of local authority houses. [10877/99]

Austin Deasy

Question:

60 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to significantly amend or abolish the local government management legislation; and the further plans, if any, he has to give much greater powers to elected members of all local authorities. [10876/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 60 together.

A major local government Bill is currently in preparation which will underpin the ongoing programme for the renewal of local government and modernise and consolidate local government law generally. Legislation relating to local authority management, some of which dates back 70 years, is among a range of enactments the provisions of which will be repealed, revised, modernised and consolidated by the Bill.

My intention is to significantly enhance the role of elected members and this will be reflected in the Bill and in a range of other initiatives some of which are already under way as part of the renewal programme. These include the introduction of strategic policy committees which will provide genuine opportunity for a far greater role for elected members in the formulation, review and monitoring of policy and on a partnership model involving relevant sectoral interests; new manage ment structures to support the SPCs; better training/information for members; an overview role for the corporate policy group (Cathaoirleach and SPC chairs); a range of powers will be available to the council to oversee the direction of local authority affairs; the position of the cathaoirleach will be enhanced and the distinctive nature of local authority membership strengthened, and the proposed county/city development boards will position local government as the hub in bringing together the activities of State bodies, local development agencies and in promoting economic, social and cultural development.

Taken together, these and other measures will provide real opportunity for local authority members to determine and monitor policy with proper support and within an appropriate legislative framework.

Subject to the foregoing, issues such as the allocation of individual local authority houses, the conferral of other individual type benefits or day to day operational matters will be the responsibility of the executive within the policy framework as determined and overseen by the council. As was also the policy of the previous Government it is not intended that decisions on such individual cases will vest in the council.