Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the concept of community wealth building refers to a range of approaches to local economic development, including community-led local development. My department has in place a range of policies and programmes which support community wealth building.

Programmes such as LEADER, SICAP and the Community Services Programme all support community-led initiatives. My Department also leads on the implementation of the National Social Enterprise Strategy - the creation of an environment in which social enterprises can thrive is a key element of community wealth building.

The Western Development Commission under the aegis of my department provides social financing to support community led initiatives.

Both the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme have invested in the regeneration of rural towns and villages, including measures for the acquisition of buildings for community use, which aligns with the concept of community wealth building.

My Department participates on the cross-government Strategic Procurement Advisory Group which promotes and facilitates the inclusion of social considerations in public procurement projects, for the benefit of local communities and is committed to working with other Departments and the community and voluntary sector to review the processes by which state bodies commission the provision of social and community services, in order to maximise societal value.

The Guidelines for the development of Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) by local authorities contain a clear framework for local economic development. My department provides resources to the local authorities to support the work of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), including the preparation and monitoring of the LECPs, through the Additional Staff Resource (ASR) fund.