Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the budget for each county development board in 2006 and 2007; if he is satisfied regarding the work being carried out by the respective boards; and his plans to change the functions and structures of the boards. [27455/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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County/City Development Boards (CDBs), led by local government, were established in early 2000 in each county and city area and are representative of local development bodies, State agencies and the social partners operating locally. A key function of the Boards is to bring about the more integrated delivery of public services at local level via their Strategies for Economic, Social and Cultural Development.

CDBs were given statutory recognition in the Local Government Act, 2001. However, the Boards themselves are not executive bodies and do not have a specific budget of their own. They are supported in the main by the relevant local authority and implementation of the Boards' Strategies is the responsibility of their member agencies, having regard to available resources.

CDBs completed a review of their Strategies in 2006 to ensure that they remain focused on key priorities over the following three years. In this context, independent consultants were appointed to examine the Strategy Reviews and bring forward recommendations to develop and strengthen the Boards in line with a commitment in Towards 2016. The consultants recently submitted their final report to my Department and it is expected that this will be available in the near future.