Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Development.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that community development and social inclusion are at the heart of local government in view of the commitment contained in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23310/99]

Michael Ferris

Question:

68 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the further powers it is proposed to devolve from central government to local authorities in view of the commitment contained in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23309/99]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

74 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when development boards will be established at city and county levels in view of the commitment contained in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23311/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 68 and 74 together.

County-city development boards are scheduled to be established in each county council and county borough corporation area early next year. Directors of community and enterprise for these bodies have been recruited and are making the necessary arrangements for their establishment. The setting up of CDBs was recommended in the report of the interdepartmental task force on the integration of local government and local development systems, which has been endorsed by Government.

The CDBs will see local government and local development agencies – area partnerships, Leader groups and county-city enterprise boards – together with the social partners and public agencies operating locally, come together to draw up and implement a strategy for economic, social and cultural development. The strategy will be the framework for public services and local development in each county and city area.

Social inclusion and community development generally will be a particularly important focus for the CDBs. This is underlined by the make up of the CDBs which includes agencies such as local authorities, local development bodies and health boards which are involved in these areas. As regards community development generally, the CDB process will see a move towards local authority area committees being expanded to include representatives of the wider community and local development bodies when dealing with community development. This will give local people a real say in local decision making on community matters.

As part of the ongoing programme of local government renewal local authorities themselves will expand their involvement in tackling social exclusion. For example, where local development bodies with a focus on social inclusion do not exist, this role will be fulfilled by local authorities. Local government is already involved in a wide range of policies and initiatives dealing with social inclusion and in many cases in partnership with relevant interests, for example, local drugs task forces, the integrated services process, the young people's facilities and services fund. This trend will continue to grow, and local authorities will play an increasing role in the context of the national anti-poverty strategy, counteracting social exclusion and poverty in a strategic way at local level.

The success of the county-city development boards will be a major challenge and opportunity for all the local participants, including the local authorities. Implementation of the task force's recommendations will give local authorities a wider role and will provide the framework under which consideration can be given to an evolving role for local government with a wider range of functions.