Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2015
22. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress on the implementation of the Local Government Reform Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/15]
View answerThe majority of the provisions of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 commenced with effect from 1 June 2014, activating a range of significant changes in the local government system signalled in the Action Programme for Effective Local Government (October 2012).
Those changes include enhanced roles for local authorities in economic development and in community and local development, including the formulation of local economic and community plans; the dissolution of local authorities in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and the establishment of new merged entities in their place; the replacement of town councils by municipal districts; provision for the reconfiguration of regional structures; and a series of new governance arrangements such as provision for an enhanced policy making role for elected members; new citizen participation measures; local authority service delivery plans; the re-designation of the position of manager to chief executive; stronger oversight powers for the elected council in relation to the implementation of policy; and increased obligations on the executive in relation to the elected council.
The measures contained in the Local Government Reform Act 2014 have, in turn, been further developed by a wide range of secondary legislation and guidance to local authorities.
It is important to recognise that 2015 will be the first full year of the operation of structural and other changes in the local government system. Nonetheless, it is essential to ensure that the new system is being operated effectively and as intended and I have initiated a review in relation to the operation of the new arrangements, to be undertaken by a broadly-based Advisory Group and a Working Group for engagement with the Association of Irish Local Government. This will provide a sound evidence base upon which to consider any adjustments that may be warranted in the operation of the new arrangements. Moreover, the independent reviews of local government arrangements in Cork and Galway, which I announced in January 2015, form part on an ongoing assessment of potential reforms which may be warranted beyond those measures provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014.
