Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1951. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to appoint a permanent chief executive to Galway County Council to replace the acting chief executive; the last date on which there was a permanent chief executive in Galway County Council; the reason for the delay in appointing a permanent chief executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35382/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last permanent Chief Executive of Galway County Council retired on 4 July 2014. A temporary chief executive was appointed at that time, pending a permanent appointment. In that regard, during the intervening period there has been extensive policy development processes examining optimum arrangements for local governance in Galway. Arising from these processes, in June 2018 the Government decided in principle to implement the unanimous recommendation of the Expert Advisory Group to amalgamate Galway City and County Councils by 2021.
In order to progress matters, the Local Government Bill 2018 contained provision for a single chief executive post with dual responsibility for Galway City and County Councils, to, inter alia, progressively implement organisational integration in advance of a full merger. However, these provisions were removed from the Bill through an amendment approved in the Seanad.
In light of the foregoing, it is appropriate to review the position in relation to the filling of the post of Chief Executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis. That process is underway and will be concluded as quickly as possible.
