Written answers
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Local Government Reform
Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to section 35 of the Local Government Reform Bill 2013, the reason behind deleting lines 12-30 on Page 51, and replacing them with new wording by him; if he will then clarify the merit of amendment No. 34 which is lost or is it included elsewhere in the Bill, as he stated he would bring forward an amendment to that effect on Committee Stage in the Seanad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4837/14]
Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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These amendments and others relating to the provisions in the Local Government Reform Act 2014 have already been debated and agreed by the Oireachtas. In respect of Section 35 relating to Local Community Development Committees, lines 12-30 in section 128F were deleted as they related to the making of Regulations and General Policy Guidelines for Local and Community Plans to be developed by Local Community Development Committees. These provisions have been effectively replaced by new provisions at Section 44 of the 2014 Act under which local authorities and Local Community Development Committees are tasked with preparing integrated Local Economic and Community Plans for their areas. This integrated economic and community plan will provide for a more co-ordinated approach at a local level. Section 44, which inserts new sections 66A to 66H in the Local Government Act 2001, now provides for the making of regulations in relation to the new integrated plan and accordingly, the provisions of Section 128F(2)(c) – covering the making of regulations for the standalone community plan – are not now required.
In respect of amendment no. 34, which was discussed at Dáil and Seanad Committee Stages, on both occasions I committed to bringing forward an amendment on this issue. I can now confirm that there is provision for the making of regulations in relation to engagement and consultation with communities as part of the Local Economic and Community Plan process as provided for in section 44 of the 2014 Act.
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