I have had a number of meetings with the Irish Local Development Network, the representative body of the 50 local development companies, to discuss the new arrangements arising from Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government and, in particular, the recommendations of the Steering Group on Local Government and Local Development Alignment. The meetings focused on the implementation of these recommendations, including concerns raised by the companies on issues such as programme delivery arrangements, funding and administration.
I have also established an Alignment Working Group to assist and advise on taking forward the proposals set out in Putting People First, in a way that will secure maximum value for scarce resources and enhance delivery of frontline services for local communities. Local development companies are represented on the working group.
The overall focus of the alignment recommendations is to bring greater collaboration to the publicly funded programmes that are implemented on an area basis. Therefore, I do not see improved alignment between local government and local development having any impact on local services, such as youth work, other than improved co-ordination.
