Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of implementing a review of local authority participation structures, excluding the strategic review of the Public Participation Networks which was undertaken by the Department of Rural and Community Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27944/22]
View answerIn light of the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commitment to establish a climate action strategic policy committee (SPC) in each local authority, my Department will commence a review of SPCs during 2022. Draft terms of reference for the review are currently being prepared for consideration with stakeholders. A budget for the review has not yet been defined.
The Department of Rural and Community Development carried out and published a review of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in 2019. The review sought to assess the strategic and operational development of LCDCs since their establishment in 2014 for the purpose of identifying opportunities to strengthen and support them in the coming years. The review determined that LCDCs had made solid progress since 2014 and identified some challenges. The review made a number of recommendations. The Department of Community and Rural Development continues to work with relevant stakeholders to implement the objectives and actions identified in the review.
There are no current plans to review Joint Policing Committees (JPCs). It is, however, intended to replace JPCs with Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), following the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which is being worked on presently in the Department of Justice. LCSPs are currently being piloted in three locations: North Inner City Dublin, Waterford and Longford.
