Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is certainly a reformed and improved system. The majority of the policy decisions, first announced in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government, and subsequently given statutory effect under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, came into effect on 1 June 2014. Those changes included enhanced roles for local authorities in economic development and local and community development, the dissolution of local authorities in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and the establishment of new merged entities in their place, the replacement of town councils, to which the Senator referred, by municipal districts and provision for the reconfiguration of regional structures.

There are also new governance arrangements, such as provision for an enhanced policy making role for elected members, new citizen participation measures, CPM, local authority service delivery plans, the re-designation of the position of manager to chief executive, stronger oversight powers for the elected council on the implementation of policy and increased obligations on the executive in relation to the elected council. Together, the measures I have mentioned present a significant reform agenda and I will mention some of the benefits.

At county and city level, while greater efficiency and economies of scale are among the objectives of the local authority amalgamations in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, stronger local government was the main aim. Over time, benefits will arise following the establishment of single authorities which will be better positioned to achieve the overall goals of leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services and representing citizens and communities effectively and accountably. Mergers have also addressed issues related to boundaries, particularly where urban development has extended beyond the administrative boundary.

Moreover, we can expect greater efficiency and more productive use of resources due, for example, to the elimination of duplication and reduced staffing requirements. At sub-county level, municipal districts now cover the entire territory of each county, reflecting European norms, removing outdated boundaries and ending the anomaly of small towns having municipal status and dual representation, while some larger centres and rural areas lacked any sub-county governance.

As well as creating a more rational and comprehensive structural arrangement, the new system enables more effective and community-focused decision-making and implementation in county councils. Under the new arrangements, there is full integration of local authority resources across each county and elimination of duplication in administrative and electoral terms.

An important additional benefit of the reconfigured local government system is a more appropriate assignment of functions. The performance of different functions by members at county and district levels over time will result in greater effectiveness than the previous parallel town and county system, which involved a significant element of duplication. The division of functions between county and district levels has been determined on the basis of what is most relevant to each level. Local matters are to be dealt with at municipal district level, while those of wider strategic application are decided at county level without duplication between the county and district jurisdictions. Following this principle, the pressure of business on the plenary council can be relieved.

The reform programme has seen important functions being transferred to local government in the areas of economic and community development. The basis has also been set down for more far-reaching expansion of the role of local government into the future, as the reform structures, finances, governance and operational arrangements take effect and build greater confidence.

While much has been achieved in terms of reform under the action programme and the Local Government Reform Act 2014, it is important to recognise that 1 June 2015 will mark the first full year of the operation of the structural and other changes in the local government system. We are obviously at an early point in the operation of the new arrangements. Nonetheless, it is essential to ensure that the new system is being operated effectively and as intended.

We have, therefore, initiated an operational review of the new arrangements, which has been undertaken by a broadly based advisory group, together with a local government forum, for engagement with councillors through the Association of Irish Local Government. As indicated in the response to a matter in the Seanad on 5 March, the reintroduction of the pre-reform configuration of town councils is not under consideration. The operational review will provide solid evidence for any adjustments that might need to be considered in the operation of the revised structures.

We also envisaged this being a continuing feature of engagement between central and local government, in particular to facilitate input by local authority members to the ongoing development and review of policy. Priority matters under consideration in the short-term include the operation of the municipal district arrangements, particularly the exercise of powers and functions by elected members to ensure that the new system is being operated as intended and that the various components of the new local government system are working effectively; civic aspects such as in relation to the title of mayor; and the work of elected local authority members in the context of the new local government arrangements.

As Members will be aware, a further important departure relating to local government is currently underway in the form of the review of local government arrangements in Cork and Galway by independent statutory committees. These reviews are progressing well and I look forward to the reports in the autumn, which can have a major bearing on the future success of, and progress in, the areas under review.

The Government's intention is that local government will progress to become the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level, with improved subsidiarity, coherence and efficiency, resulting in better value-for-money and improved services for clients. Local government reform and development is not a once-off event but an ongoing process.

I ask Senator Landy to continue his deliberations, as he is very passionate about local government, to continue to lobby and to be the watchdog for local government in this House. I thank him for raising this extremely important issue.