Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence regarding town councils (details supplied); if he will meet with the group to discuss their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49693/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that I have met with the organisation referred to in the Question in the context of my local government reform proposals. My Department also met with this group a short time after the publication of Putting People First, which provides for a more central role for local government in the oversight and planning of local and community development programming, in line with the recommendations made by the steering Group on alignment between local government and local development. However, Putting People First also recognises the importance of retaining the bottom-up approach, which characterises our local development model and focuses on targeting those most in need and facilitating meaningful community participation. I am satisfied that while the recommendations concerned will be challenging for all sectors, they will ultimately achieve the objective of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of services for citizens and communities.