Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This section is simply a definition of certain words and terms under this Part. There are lots of different elements of the Bill that relate specifically to community groups and community representation. Because community groups as a whole are not a statutory body or a statutory organisation, they are not listed specifically in this section. They are later on as part of the partnerships. There is a very clear, carved out position for community organisations that will be made in the regulations for the partnerships. Looking at just the three pilot programmes in Longford, Waterford and Dublin, the task forces are on all three of them. They are already represented because they were identified as a significant need. They have played a huge role in the development of the overall plans and the three plans themselves, so they are already represented on the three pilots. I anticipate and assume that they will be represented on the vast majority of the other partnerships, but it is just specific to this section, where it is about defining words and terms. Community groups as a whole would not fit into this, but I reassure the Senator that they are very much part of the most important element of it, and that is the actual partnerships themselves.