Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
40. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to expand the funding for local community development committees based on population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27989/21]
View answerMy Department has statutory responsibility for the local and community development governance structures introduced on foot of the local government reform process, namely the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). This involves supporting the operation of the LCDCs and the development and implementation of the LECPs on an ongoing basis.
My Department's LCDC Review, published in 2019, made recommendations aimed at strengthening the role and effectiveness of LCDCs. These recommendations were echoed in the 2019 policy document, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland, recognising the important role of LCDCs in supporting community and local development.
My Department is currently progressing the implementation of the strategy, with its current work focusing on a comprehensive training needs assessment of the sector and its supporting structures, including LCDCs. The outputs of the assessment will inform the design of tailored supports to assist the sector and its supporting structures, including LCDCs and PPNs, to build capacity and to strengthen their role – with the ultimate objective of achieving better outcomes for communities.
Budget 2021, announced last October has earmarked c.€2 million for my Department to support the community function in local authorities which includes the work of the LCDCs. This funding is currently distributed based on the actual costs of supporting the community function in the local authorities and population is not a consideration. This funding will be subject to review in 2022.
