Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Work is proceeding with a view to bringing policy proposals to Government at an early date on the reform and development of local government in accordance with the programme for Government. Decisions have already been taken to merge the authorities in counties Limerick and Tipperary and implementation work is proceeding. Progress reports have been submitted in both cases which present a positive account of work to date. I have also established a local government committee to consider whether Waterford city and county councils should be unified and I expect to receive its report shortly.

Building on these actions to date, I intend in the near future to bring wider policy proposals to Government for an action programme on local government, with particular focus on strengthening local government structures generally at regional, county and sub-county levels. This will include proposals for an enhanced local authority role in economic development and enterprise support, reflecting arrangements arising from the recent Government decision on the local enterprise service and in respect of the alignment of local and community development functions with local government. The programme will also incorporate proposals arising from consultations with ministerial colleagues regarding functions and services of their Departments and bodies under their aegis that could potentially be devolved to local government in the short to medium term.

The programme will also reflect other work under way on local government efficiency implementation and financing and will broadly map out further aspects of the local government system on which reform proposals will be considered. The range of action under way and proposed will form a substantial programme of mutually reinforcing reform measures which should result in stronger, more effective and cohesive local government, with greater capacity to address challenges and promote economic and social development in their respective areas.

My overall vision is for a reformed system of local government to be the main vehicle of governance and public service locally, performing as wide a range of appropriate functions as possible, as efficiently as possible as close to citizens and communities.

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