Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department works with local authorities in the delivery of services; and if so, the details of same. [42561/12]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department engage with local authorities in the provision of services and if so the details of same. [42582/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 170 together.

As the second tier of democratic government, local authorities have a special role in the furtherance of national objectives at local level and in sponsoring, developing and implementing approaches based on local needs. As such, local authorities are multi-functional agencies that deliver services on behalf and in support of a number of Government Departments. In particular, local authorities deliver services and/or enforce legislation in connection with a range of issues on behalf of my Department including planning and housing, fire and rescue, environmental protection, maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting etc. Local government is the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level, delivering efficient and good value services to people, performing a wide range of appropriate functions, and representing citizens and communities, as effectively and accountably as possible.

With regard to engagement with local authorities, m y Department’s Senior Management Team meets a number of times each year with the executive of the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) to discuss topics of interest including the efficient and effective delivery of services . I hav e also met with the M anagers on a number of occasions and earlier this year I met with the chairs of the CCMA sub-committees to discuss a range of topics. Furthermore, a s a matter of course I attend the annual conferences and seminars of the Councillors’ representative associations – the Local Authority Members Association, the Association of County and City Councils and the Association of Municipal Authorities in Ireland. At these meetings, I generally meet with the officers of the associations and discuss matters of interest, including the delivery of services . Regular visits to individual local authorities also afford me the opportunity to discuss such matters with both Councillors and County/City Managers.