Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding local development companies (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15685/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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It is my intention that the expertise and experience of local development companies will be retained in the new structures outlined in Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government , for enhanced alignment between local government and local development.

In its report, the recommendations of which are incorporated in the Action Programme, the Alignment Steering Group recognised the key strengths of local development companies, in areas such as service planning and delivery. Programme funding will continue to be available to local development companies in respect of their involvement in such work.

The Alignment Steering Group identified the need for a more joined-up approach to service delivery at local level, focused on the targeting of resources at locally identified priorities and the avoidance of overlaps . The Group recommended inter alia the establishment of Socioeconomic Committees within each local authority area with responsibility for planning, oversight and management of all local and community development programming locally.

I believe these Socioeconomic Committees will bring greater strategic coherence to the broad range of local and community development supports at local level, for the benefit of our citizens and communities.