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Local Authorities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2022

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Questions (106)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

106. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he will take on the Moorhead Report recommendation on devolution of more powers to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23624/22]

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Written answers

While Ms Sara Moorhead SC acknowledged in the foreword to her report 'Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members', published in June 2020, that "there needs to be some structural reform to assist Councillors in the carrying out of their duty and perhaps more devolution to Local Government", there were in fact no recommendations made in relation to the devolution of functions to local authorities. Nor was this part of the terms of reference for her review.

Nonetheless, with regard to the devolution of further powers, it is logical to maximise local government potential as a vehicle of governance and public service. This strong local government role has been most recently demonstrated in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the current massive undertaking in relation to providing humanitarian support to those fleeing conflict in Ukraine.

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes a commitment to making local government stronger, more accountable and more responsive to the communities it serves. Achieving this commitment will require an examination of the local government sector as both a local governance model and a public service delivery model.

In this regard, work is currently underway on the Review of Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government (2012) to assess the implementation of the 2014 reforms across the local government sector and to consider the potential for further devolved powers and other modernisations of the local government system. To this end, the Department has recently undertaken surveys to obtain the views of all local authority elected members and local authority chief executives.

Alongside this Review, an assessment of municipal districts to determine the supports and improvements required to enhance their operation is progressing.

An Interdepartmental Working Group to consider the implementation of the 2014 reforms across the local government sector will also be established this year.

The establishment of a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick City and County Council will be a very significant reform of local government. Drafting of an appropriate Bill is at an advanced stage with a view to its publication in the current Dáil session.

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