Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the financial allocations to community fora for the year 2014; his plans for alterations to the role and functions of those community fora during the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15274/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 replaces section 127 of the 2001 Local Government Act with a new section which enables local authorities to take all appropriate steps to consult with and promote effective participation of local communities in local government. One of the principal implementing provisions will be the adoption by each local authority, in accordance with Regulations to be made under the Act and the issuance of Guidelines from my Department, of a framework for public participation in local government, which will set out the mechanisms by which citizens and communities will be encouraged and supported to participate in the decision-making processes of the local authority. The adoption of the framework is a reserved function.

The current community structures, Community & Voluntary Fora, in respect of citizen engagement with local government, are being funded for the first six months of 2014. From July 2014, funding for structured citizen engagement will be a matter for the local authorities, having regard to the local government reform programme and any evolving new structures arising from the framework. Details of financial allocations, which were paid on 6 March 2014, covering the activities of the Fora for six months, are set out hereunder: