Written answers

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Boundaries

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made regarding the proposed extension of Cork City boundary; the communication that has taken place between his Department and Cork City and County Councils; if the extension will be completed prior to the next local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31689/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The procedures governing boundary alterations are set out in Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and in the Local Government (Boundary Alteration) Regulations 1996. Under these provisions, it is open to a local authority to initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. This involves the preparation of a formal proposal by the authority concerned including the setting out of financial, organisational and other implications; invitation of public submissions; and consultation with the other local authorities affected by the proposal, prior to submitting a formal application to the Minister. There has been no such proposal submitted to my Department in relation to a possible boundary adjustment in the case of Cork City.

The Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government(October 2012), which sets out Government policy on local government reform, indicated that there appeared to be a good case in principle for considering a boundary alteration with a view to creating a wider Cork Metropolitan area. The Action Programme indicated that, while the initiative in this regard rests primarily with the local authorities, it is envisaged that if suitable arrangements are not finalised within a maximum of 5 years, a power of Ministerial initiative in the matter would be invoked.

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