Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the issue. I will put my statement on the record but will also respond to one or two of the issues Senator Boyhan raises. I do not disagree with him.

My Department provides funding to support the development of the new local and community development governance structures introduced as part of the local government reform process, namely, local community development committees and local economic and community plans. LCDCs have been established in all 31 local authority areas and have responsibility for bringing about a more joined-up approach to local and community development in their respective areas. A primary function of LCDCs is the development of the community elements of the local economic and community plans. The plans seek to promote the local and community development of the relevant local authority area. They are the primary means through which the LCDCs will develop, co-ordinate and implement a coherent approach to publicly funded local and community development.

My Department is carrying out a review of the LCDC framework covering the themes of governance and structure, strategic efficiencies, participation and engagement and administrative support and development. LCDCs have been operational for three years. They have been involved in programme management and in the creation, adoption and early implementation of local economic and community plans. As the term of office for members is three years, LCDCs are also currently going through the first round of rotation of membership.In this context, a review of the structures is considered timely.

As stated in the terms of reference for the review, the purpose is threefold: to establish an understanding of the local community and development committee, LCDC, landscape nationwide, to identify opportunities for strengthening and enhancing LCDCs, and to make recommendations to build on existing strengths and to support the future development of LCDCs. The overall objective is to inform the ongoing development and strengthening of the existing structures.

A steering group, led by an external chair, was formed to oversee the review which commenced in October 2017. Members are drawn from my own Department, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, local authorities and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

The review will culminate in a report outlining the key findings and conclusions and setting out recommendations for future development of the structures. The work of the review group is scheduled to conclude in the first quarter of 2018 with the report to issue soon thereafter. Further detail on the review can be viewed on my Department's website at www.drcd.gov.ie/local-Communitydevelopment-Committees-lodics.

I was looking at the make-up of the review board this morning and the Senator is quite correct. The one thing missing is someone from the community. Maybe we should also put someone in from the local authority. I will consider putting someone in from community and from the local authority, as the people who are on the ground. The idea is to bring local democracy down to ground. I do not disagree with the Senator about elected representatives, but at the same time I want to see people from all sections of society having an input to see what they want to do for their own areas.