Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
441. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he can synchronise the following bodies boundary areas in order that there is greater overall accountability, local authority boundaries, vocational education committees boundaries, children services committees, child and family support agencies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2490/13]
View answerWhile territorial configuration for the delivery of different services may, having regard to the particular requirements and nature of the activities, vary between different sectors and organisations, I have no overarching or coordinating function in relation to these matters. Nonetheless, the Action Programme for Effective Local Government Putting People First, which I published on 16 October 2012, envisages that new regional structures will have revised and strengthened functions ensuring that they play a significant strategic role, promoting greater cooperation and coordination between local government, central government and other agencies, thereby contributing to achieving better outcomes for citizens and better governance. Moreover, in the context of broadening the reach of local government in terms of collaborative work, with or on behalf of other agencies, the potential for a wider local government leadership and co-ordination role locally will be explored under the Programme to enhance public service delivery and achieve better results on the ground.
