Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made with the proposed alignment of local government and the engagement there has been with representatives of staff and the community sector. [20498/13]
View answerFollowing on from the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Group has had three meetings to date and is overseeing the practical arrangements necessary to give effect to the new local structures, including the establishment of Socio-Economic Committees in each local authority administrative area.
The Alignment Working Group comprises representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal, and is chaired and supported in its work by my Department. The Irish Local Development Network has three places on the Working Group and it is a matter for that body to select its nominees to fill these positions. It is also the responsibility of the representatives from each sector to consult with their nominating bodies, staff and other relevant stakeholders as part of this process.
As well as the ongoing work of this Group, both I and my Department have had several engagements with representatives of the local development and community and voluntary sectors in relation to alignment and other issues of common interest.
