Following Government approval, I published the action programme for effective local government, Putting People First, which, inter alia, addresses the alignment of local and community development with local government. This involves an enhanced role for local government in local and community development and seeks to create greater efficiencies in structural arrangements and service delivery to the citizen, at local level.
In June 2012 my Department requested that CPLN Local Development Company, Dodder Valley Local Development Company and South Dublin County Council (SDCC) develop a plan to establish a single structure for Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) delivery in the two areas in question. The new structure will operate within the SDCC boundary and will facilitate the generation of efficiencies; in the longer term it will allow a more effective sharing of resources, reducing overall administration and operating costs, while at the same time preserving the core, front-line element of the LCDP.
Following consultations between my Department, the Chairpersons, CEOs and Boards of Management of both companies and SDCC, an agreement was reached. This involves the establishment of a single Company to promote and deliver Local and Community Development Programmes in the South County Dublin Area. In advancing this work and the broader alignment initiative, I am concerned that the integrity of the local development model is appropriately protected as outlined in the Alignment Report.
Guidelines for the governance of all Local Development Companies were drawn up in 2007 and these include a structure for the Board of each Company. The Board structure of the new company will allow for a strong community presence commensurate with the catchment area for the merged entities.
Notwithstanding financial constraints on all programmes, some €49 million will be available for the Local Community Development Programme in 2013. While unavoidable reductions present challenges to all delivery bodies in managing their costs for 2013, I nevertheless expect that groups will continue to maintain key services and supports through prioritising resources at the front-line.
The location of the headquarters for the integrated company is a matter for the new Board of the company. However, Dodder Valley Partnership recently moved to County Hall, in Tallaght, and I understand that the headquarters of the newly integrated company will be based there with outreach offices providing services across the South County Dublin area.
