Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
326. 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. [23783/23]
View answerMy Department has commenced a review of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) which is being guided, overseen and advised by a Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) comprising representatives of all the stakeholders involved in SPCs at local level. It is anticipated that the review, which will be carried out by an independent subject matter expert, will be completed later this year. If, as part of this review, changes are recommended to the existing guidelines for SPCs those changes can be implemented with effect from after the 2024 local elections.
It is not possible to estimate the cost, if any, to local authorities of the implementation of this initiative at this early stage.
