David Stanton
Question:12 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the development of local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32736/04]
View answerThursday, 9 December 2004
Questions (15, 16)
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:37 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the development of local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 37 together.
The better local government modernisation programme has brought significant benefits to local government. These include constitutional recognition and guaranteed local elections; enhanced levels of funding; strengthened political and management structures; an updated legal framework as well as an efficiency agenda focused on improved corporate planning, IT, human resources and customer service. Updated financial management systems, facilitating better financial management and planning, have also been introduced and a new initiative to improve service standards with an extended range of performance indicators was launched this year. A major independent study to identify future funding requirements and options for local government is underway and will be completed by spring 2005.
Local government modernisation provides an enhanced role for elected members in policy formulation and review and in developing an integrated strategy for the economic, social and cultural development of their areas. This is undertaken in partnership with representatives of the sectoral interests through the establishment of strategic policy committees, SPCs, and the county/city development boards respectively. The role of the locally elected representative has been further strengthened under the modernisation programme by the creation of a single mandate for councillors from the recent local elections and also by the improved financial support framework and better training and information opportunities.
Quality customer service is a key pillar of the modernisation programme. All the various elements of the programme are centred around this objective. Substantial resources have been provided by my Department to local authorities for specific initiatives to improve service provision. These include €31 million in support for a one stop shop programme and €9.8 million to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery through the use of technology. In addition, local authorities are obliged from 2004 onwards publicly to report their performance against 42 service indicators across their principal functions.
It is my aim, over the lifetime of the Government, to intensify and consolidate the gains being made through the modernisation programme and, in particular, to promote improvements in performance and in service delivery by local authorities to their communities.