Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
441. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reform the operation of LDCs; his reasons for this reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18551/14]
View answerThe proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government “as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably”. There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on behalf of my Department to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), while 35 are also involved in delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authorities. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including my Department’s LEADER and Local and Community Development Programmes. They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.
My Department and I have engaged extensively with the Irish Local Development Network including in relation to their membership of the LCDCs and their potential role as partners in implementing LCDC programmes. In this context, I expect the local development companies to continue to have an implementation role under the new LEADER programme 2014-2020. While I can’t pre-empt the outcome of the procurement process for the new Social Inclusion Activation Programme, which will be the successor to the current Local and Community Development Programme, I would expect, given their experience, that the local development companies will be strong contenders to deliver the new programme locally.
