Written answers

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Government Reform

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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140. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of Putting People First, while the partnerships are represented on the alignment group through the three ILDN representatives, his views on whether this group is lacking in its full representation of the community sector in the absence of a trade union representative; his further views that the socio economic committee in each city and county should accommodate a trade union representative or worker representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25010/13]

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of Putting People First, his views on whether there should be an amendment to ensure that a workers representative can be appointed to the alignment implementation working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25011/13]

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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142. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the necessary legislative changes to establish the alignment implementation working group and when it will be initiated; if he will further consider the nomination and participation of a union/worker representative on this alignment implementation working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25012/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together.

Following publication of Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an ad hoc Alignment Working Group was established in February 2013 to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Working Group includes representatives of the Irish Local Development Network - the national representative body for Ireland's 50 local development companies - as well as the City and County Managers Association and Pobal. The Group is chaired and supported in its work by my Department. There was no legislative provision required to establish the Group.

In its membership, drawn primarily from the local government and local development sectors, I believe that the Working Group has the correct focus. While it is not intended to extend the membership of the Group, I am satisfied that the members have sufficient scope to consult with their nominating bodies so as to fairly and accurately represent staff and relevant stakeholders. In addition, it is open to the Working Groups to invite other stakeholder representatives to participate where required.

The membership of the Socio-Economic Committees will comprise local authorities, State agencies, the local and community development sectors and other representatives of civil society in the local authority area concerned. The membership will be determined locally in response to the specific needs of the City or County concerned, within general guidelines that are under consideration by the Alignment Working Group. Bearing in mind the recommendation of the Alignment Steering Group that Socio-Economic Committee total membership be approximately 15, it may not be possible to accommodate all interest groups on all Socio-Economic Committees.

Proposals for participation in Socio-Economic Committees, including one from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, have been made available to all areas where Socio-Economic Committees are being formed.

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