Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person in the Government who provides political oversight and co-ordination to the work of the area based partnerships in Dublin city in particular and in the greater Dublin area generally; the mechanisms in place to deliver on that over-sight and co-ordination; his vision for the work of the area based partnerships in the greater Dublin area over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25653/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume the Question is referring to Local Development Companies, formerly known as area based partnerships. My Department has no role in relation to the provision of political oversight or in directing the business of Local Development Companies, which are private limited companies. My Department has a role in relation to the provision of guidance on corporate governance arrangements for those companies as well as in ensuring adherence to contractual funding agreements. With regard to corporate governance, Guidelines on the Governance of Integrated Local Development Companies and Urban Based Partnerships were issued by the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to all companies on 1 October 2007 (with an addendum to the guidelines issued in June 2009). The guidelines were designed to assist the companies with the establishment of the company board structure (including the relevant sectors and pillars), and with the prescribed requirements of the Department to enable each Company to ensure eligibility for Departmental and European funding. In addition, the guidelines provided a model Memorandum and Articles of Association, along with a model of Corporate Governance Policy which were adaptable to meet individual requirements. In accordance with commitments in the Programme for Government, the Department has commenced work on aligning local government and local development functions with a view to reducing the duplication of services, providing more efficient and cost effective services for the citizen, and ensuring greater democratic accountability in decision making at a local level. All Local Development Companies, including those serving the Dublin City and greater Dublin areas, will form part of that process.