Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2019
195. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the review of local community development committees that stated that the prevailing view, particularly from non-State respondents, that community interests are not adequately considered or represented at committee level suggests these mechanisms are not as effectively or as widely used as they should be (details supplied). [43800/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Community Development Committees (LCDCs) were established in mid-2014 to bring about a more joined-up and integrated approach to local service planning and delivery. I recently approved a comprehensive review of the LCDCs which was underpinned by extensive consultation and highlighted significant progress since LCDCs were established. The review also recognised a number of challenges to be addressed to secure the longer-term effectiveness of the structures. It makes a series of recommendations including securing greater cross-government buy-in; improved development and support programmes for LCDCs and members; and strengthening and streamlining administrative supports.
I believe the deputy is referring to the issue of participation and engagement which was one of the themes used to guide the review process. The review did conclude that despite achieving good levels of participation and engagement some challenges remain. Consideration was given to the size of LCDCs when they were being developed, with a focus on achieving the optimum balance between a tight and effective committee on one hand and securing sufficient participation on the other. This remains the objective and LCDCs are using mechanisms such as sub-committees and working groups to broaden participation and engagement. However as participation and engagement appears to remain a challenge, particularly from the perspective of non-state actors, the review did conclude that perhaps these mechanisms are not as effectively or as widely used as they should be.
The review commits to the development of a training and development programme to support the work of the LCDCs. Such a programme will address issues including Governance and the use of sub-groups and committees and the need for the LCDC to secure meaningful and sustainable engagement with communities. In addition, the new five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities also contains actions to strengthen the Public Participation Networks (PPNs), the primary mechanism for communities to engage with local government decision making structures including the LCDC. Specifically action 7.3 commits to the provision of resources to support members of the PPN to engage with local authority decision-making structures and processes.
