Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2013
536. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are obliged to adopt voluntary sector plans which would facilitate the creation of the best environment for community, voluntary and non-Governmental organisations in each city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32228/13]
View answerCommunity and Voluntary Fora exist in each city and county. The 34 Fora were established in association (in the majority of cases) with the establishment of the County/City Development Boards (CDBs) in 2000. One of their key roles is to facilitate the community in making an input to the CDB and local authorities in particular. My Department provides funding to support the Fora in organising meetings, communicating information and providing capacity building/training for Forum members, particularly those representing the socially excluded. The future of the Fora will now be taken forward in the context of alignment of Local Government and Local Development as part of the Local Government Reform Programme Putting People First . Local Authorities are not obliged to adopt voluntary sector plans by the Fora or any other group within the sector.
