Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to abolish the position of county manager and replace it with a chief executive mandated to implement democratically decided policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1669/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 24, 44, 42 and 122 of 30 November 2011 which sets out the position in this matter.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to examine the potential to merge services between two or more local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1670/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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A range of work relevant to the delivery of the Programme for Government commitments on shared services is underway and will be developed further. In pursuance of the implementation of the Local Government Efficiency Review, I have established an independently chaired Implementation Group to drive forward the recommendations, including in relation to shared services. The Group has recently completed an interim report, which I have asked the Group to develop further. I understand the Group is engaging with the County and City Managers' Association in this regard.

Other specific measures in relation to shared services are being implemented under the programme for Public Service Review and the Public Service Agreement (PSA). Reports on progress and savings under the Local Government Sectoral Action Plan of the PSA were made to the Implementation Body in May 2011. An updated and revised Action Plan under the PSA for the local authority sector is currently being prepared and will be submitted to the National Implementation Body this month. The Action Plan will contain actions designed to examine the potential for and the implementation of shared services across the functional areas of local authorities.