Housing Provision

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Ceisteanna (278)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

278. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce, as announced by his Department on 26 March 2025; the specific terms of reference for this taskforce; the timeline and mechanisms through which it intends to implement the Government’s commitments to rebalance power between elected councillors and executive officers, enhance the accountability of chief executives and directors of services to councillors, and increase councillors’ input and control over the development and implementation of council budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18304/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy James Browne)

The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Local Democracy Taskforce with the Local Government sector to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government.

The membership of the Taskforce will include Local Authority elected member representative bodies, Local Authority executive representatives, the National Oversight and Audit Commission, my Department and a number of independent experts.

The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce are currently under development in my Department and these will have due regard to the commitments in the Programme for Government. Following further consideration and input from key stakeholders, they will be brought to Government for approval. The first meeting of the Taskforce will take place as soon as possible thereafter.