Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
685. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent local government reform proposal; the representation the social partners will have in new local government structures; what will replace the county and city development boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/12]
View answerThe Government’s approach to the reform of local government, as set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides, inter alia, for the introduction of Socio-Economic Committees (SECs) within each city/county local authority area. These SECs will assume many of the local and community development responsibilities of City/County Development Boards (CDBs) and they will be responsible for planning and overseeing all local and community development activity at local level. It is envisaged that these new arrangements will deliver a more co-ordinated approach locally to identifying the needs of communities and citizens, and targeting resources in the most effective way to meet those needs. SECs will be established on a public-private partnership basis and will bring a broad range of socio-economic interests together in collaboration and co-operation at local level. The exact membership of SECs is yet to be finalised but would generally comprise representatives of local government, other appropriate State agencies and local and community interests, including representatives of civil society and social and economic partners.
The Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides for the gradual wind down of City/County Development Boards (CDBs). There is no longer sufficient rationale for the continued operation of CDBs, in view of the proposed introduction of SECs with planning and oversight responsibility for local/community development programmes, the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices that will provide a local enterprise support service, and the development of a broader, more direct role for local authorities in economic development generally.
