John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Dowd brought me to Drogheda after I was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for local government. The Deputy has spoken about the projected increase in the population of Drogheda over the coming years. This is a good example of how the municipal district structure functions better in some local authority areas than in others. In many local authorities, there are designated officials who act as engineers, in effect, for certain towns. They might have wider responsibilities within the local authority, but they are held to account at municipal district level. Equally, in some local authorities directors of service are appointed and given responsibility for specific municipal districts. In effect, they act within that district with some of the responsibilities of a local authority manager or chief executive. It varies widely across the country. I agree with the Deputy's point that a growing town, which is designated under the national planning framework should receive special resources to enable it to develop properly. I will talk to my colleagues in the Department about towns that are projected to grow in population to more than 50,000 over the 20 years of the planning framework. There are not many of them around the country.