Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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A Chathaoirligh, I thank you for selecting this item for the Commencement debate today. I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming to the House to address this matter. I welcome that the Minister has initiated a review of the local community and development committees, LCDCs. They are a very important aspect of local government. They are relatively new in that they have only been in existence for a few years, and it is timely, appropriate and right that the Minister should carry out a review. It is important that there be substantial input from the local elected members themselves, as well as the executive in all of the 31 local authorities. There are different views, perspectives and challenges, as well as different understandings of the function of the LCDCs and how they complement rather than duplicate services. There will always be a tension between non-elected members and elected members in every council. I hear from some councillors that they feel there is a certain conflict with those whom they see as non-elected people. They may be community leaders and pillars within their own community but they are not necessarily political people with the democratic mandate county councillors have. This is presenting a challenge. However, this is not a bad thing. I welcome the contributions of civic-minded and active people in the community. That is really important but we must get the balances right.

There are also issues around the funding of the LCDCs. I refer to the transitional period for people who have come in from being community activists and who ultimately may wish to go on to seek election for any political party or none. Some people have had to stand down and with that, one loses continuity, experience and knowledge. In addition, there is always the ongoing challenge of funding. I thank the Minister for coming here. It is great and timely that he has initiated this review. However, we need greater clarity on the terms of reference for the review and its particular focus. I am also calling for a timeline for its delivery.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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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.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister for that very comprehensive reply and the great clarity with which he delivered his response. The initiative of taking someone from local government and from community development is really important and will be a very welcome move.