Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the final report on the Alignment of Local Government and Local Development has been published; and when it will go to Cabinet. [31330/12]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the alignment of local government and local development; the consultation that he intends to have with stakeholders and those affected by the changes, particularly community based organisations.. [31458/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 187 together.

I intend to bring proposals to Government in the coming weeks covering an extensive programme of local government reform and these will include proposals on enhanced alignment between local development and local government. The latter will be based on the work undertaken by the high level Steering Group that I established to consider the best way forward regarding alignment of local government and local development. The Group presented a broad range of recommendations with implications for both the local government and local development sectors and I have had the opportunity to consider these with a view to determining the future development structures and arrangements that will deliver the maximum benefit for communities and citizens.

Enhanced alignment of local government and local development will allow a better targeting of scarce resources, and better co-ordination of the activities of local government and local development, and will bring the resources of both sectors together in a constructive way to improve services to citizens. This will be the key focus in the proposals I will shortly bring to Government.

I understand that the Steering Group carried out extensive consultations with stakeholders during its deliberations, including local development companies, local authorities (elected representatives and city/county managers), Community and Voluntary Fora, Volunteer Centres and representative bodies for community and voluntary organisations. Consultation will continue with these and other stakeholders as the Group's recommendations are being implemented.