Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a cost benefit analysis was performed on the policy of local government/local development alignment before formally adopting it as a policy; if he will provide same if it was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The issue of enhanced alignment between local government and local development was examined by a steering group that I established for that purpose. The group comprised individuals with extensive experience across the spectrum of the local and community development sector, from policy and planning to implementation and delivery at a local level. A copy of the steering group's report is available on my Department's website at

The Alignment process is, at its essence, about improving the co-ordination of the many publicly-funded programmes and structures that deliver local development services. It is not the replacement of one system with another solely because one is more cost effective than the other; it is the bringing together of relevant local actors in strategic collaboration and partnership, focusing on intended outcomes including, developing a more integrated approach to publicly-funded programmes, achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness, improved matching of resources to priorities, improved systems for impact measurement and assessment, greater cross-government sharing of data and identification of best practice, setting programme administration costs at sustainable level s and the use of shared services where appropriate.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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169. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the intended consultation and consultation to date with staff that was conducted prior to and during the development of the local government/local development alignment policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20675/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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During the course of its work, the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group received and considered submissions from many local development companies and other stakeholder groups.

Implementation of the Steering Group ’s recommendations is now being overseen by the Alignment Working Group, which comprises representatives of the City/County Managers Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal. The Irish Local Development Network has three places on the Working Group and it is a matter for that body to select its nominees to fill these positions. It is also the responsibility of the representatives from each sector to consult with their nominating bodies, staff and other relevant stakeholders, as necessary, as part of this process.

I would also like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that I met representatives of ILDN on 2 occasions personally in recent months to clarify policy issues.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the current policy and implementation of the local government/local development alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Following on from the publication of Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government , an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Group has had three meetings to date and comprises representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal, and is chaired and supported in its work by my Department.

At present, the Alignment Working Group is focusing on the practical arrangements necessary to give effect to the new local structures, including the establishment of Socio-Economic Committees in each local authority administrative area. Frontrunner Socio-Economic Committees will initially be established in up to 10 local authority areas, with Socio-Economic Committees established across the remaining local authority areas towards end 2013. An important early focus for the Socio-Economic Committees will be the development of City/County Local and Community Plans; my Department and the Alignment Working Group will be working with Socio-Economic Committees in the coming months to advance this process.

Other areas of the alignment recommendations will be implemented with the co-operation of the Alignment Working Group and other key stakeholders over the period to 2014 .