Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
380. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria for town status to be bestowed on a high population catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 established municipal districts as the fundamental sub-county level of governance and democratic representation in the State. Separate town councils are not provided for under the Act. Municipal districts are a key decision-making component, with specified reserved powers, of plenary councils and each municipal district can include several towns and their hinterlands.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring a strong voice for towns at the heart of local authority decision making. It also commits to considering the review by the Institute of Public Administration regarding the role and operation of municipal districts with a view to strengthening local democracy and to identifying local needs and initiatives needed to strengthen and grow our communities, villages and towns in a sustainable manner.
This review, which was published on 25 June 2020, is available on the Institute's website at https://www.ipa.ie/_fileUpload/Documents/MunicipalReport_June2020.pdf.
Prior to the 2014 Reform Act, qualified electors of a town, having a population of at least 7,500, could petition their County Council and the Local Government Commission to recommend that the Minister establish a new Town Council under the criteria set out in the Local Government Act, 2001. However, these provisions are no longer in force and the strategic focus is to achieve a stronger, more effective and more responsive local government system. The municipal district model is a key element of this, as an innovative system of sub-county governance designed to strengthen local government, through more effective local community-focused decision making and democratic accountability and representation. Subsidiarity is thereby enhanced while, at the same time, achieving the benefits of greater integration, such as the removal of duplication, the reduction of corporate overhead, a more integrated administration and more effective local government generally.
