Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
170. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the current policy and implementation of the local government/local development alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government , an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Group has had three meetings to date and comprises representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal, and is chaired and supported in its work by my Department.
At present, the Alignment Working Group is focusing on the practical arrangements necessary to give effect to the new local structures, including the establishment of Socio-Economic Committees in each local authority administrative area. Frontrunner Socio-Economic Committees will initially be established in up to 10 local authority areas, with Socio-Economic Committees established across the remaining local authority areas towards end 2013. An important early focus for the Socio-Economic Committees will be the development of City/County Local and Community Plans; my Department and the Alignment Working Group will be working with Socio-Economic Committees in the coming months to advance this process.
Other areas of the alignment recommendations will be implemented with the co-operation of the Alignment Working Group and other key stakeholders over the period to 2014.
