John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion before the House concerning the future of local development companies. As we are all aware, local development companies have played a major role in the development of rural and urban areas in recent years. The first such company in Wexford commenced in 1991. They have been very successful since then in providing facilities for people to establish their own businesses, as well as helping local communities in various ways.

It is important to defend the core community partnership ethos of local development companies in providing Leader programmes. Local development companies have played a critical role in supporting local enterprise, as well as providing services in communities across Ireland. The Minister's plans to subsume the programme into local authorities and contract it out will jeopardise the independence of companies involved. Instead of reforming local government, this measure will destroy a successful model of communities being empowered to help themselves. The Government should re-examine this matter immediately before the link between the companies and communities is destroyed.

I have serious concerns about this matter being handed over to local authorities. Will future allocations be ring-fenced for specific projects or will the county manager of the day be able to raid the fund for pothole repairs or other local government projects that are short of money?

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