Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in the devolution of functions from central to local government; the contact and responses, if any, he has had with other Departments; and the timeframe for devolution. [5409/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, which was published on 16 October 2012, sets out Government decisions for a range of measures in relation to local government structures, functions, funding, governance and operational matters. The Programme provides for additional local government functions with particular regard to three key areas:

- the operation of the local micro-enterprise support service through Local Enterprise Offices;

- local authority oversight and planning of local and community development programmes; and

- an enhanced and clearer role in economic development.

These decisions represent the most significant enhancement of the role of local government in many decades. In addition, a number of functions that are potentially suitable for devolution were identified by relevant Departments. Initial proposals in this regard are detailed in the Action Programme, including:

- responsibility for tourist information offices;

- involvement in the delivery of local and rural transport;

- responsibility relating to local sports partnerships;

- responsibility for managing property on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service;

- responsibility in relation to transport and other infrastructure on offshore islands;

- administration of community development programmes.

All Government Departments were consulted in the preparation of these proposals, and engagement with Departments will continue as is necessary.

Legislation to provide for the additional local government functions will be brought forward with a view to enactment in advance of the next local government elections in 2014.