David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date on the reform of local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Better Local Government reform programme has brought significant benefits to local government. These include constitutional recognition and fixed term local elections; enhanced levels of funding; strengthened political and management structures; an updated legal framework as well as an efficiency agenda focused on improved corporate planning, IT, human resources, customer service together with an expanded role in local and community development. Updated financial management systems, facilitating better financial management and planning, and a new initiative to improve service standards with an extended range of performance indicators have also been introduced. A major independent study to identify future funding requirements and options for local government has recently been published.

Local government modernisation provides an enhanced role for elected members in policy formulation and review and in developing an integrated strategy for the economic, social and cultural development of their areas. This is undertaken in partnership with representatives of the sectoral interests through the establishment of Strategic Policy Committees and the County/City Development Boards respectively. The role of the locally elected representative has been further strengthened under the modernisation programme by the creation of a single mandate for councillors from the 2004 local elections; and also by the improved financial support framework and better training/information opportunities.

Quality customer service is a key pillar of the modernisation programme. All of the various elements of the programme are centred around this objective. Substantial resources have been provided by my Department to local authorities on specific initiatives to improve service provision. These include €26.6m in support for a one stop shop programme and €9.8m to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery through the use of technology. I am determined to intensify and consolidate the gains being made through the modernisation programme and, in particular, to promote improvements in performance and in service delivery by local authorities to their communities.