There are fears for 2,000 jobs in local development, as the Government moves plans to align local government and local development. “It is not anticipated that existing staff will transfer from the local development companies to the local authority,” revealed Ian Dempsey, CEO of West Cork Development Partnership, one of the 50 local development companies which have warned that reforms led by Environment Minister Phil Hogan will destroy existing community-led local development. “The transfer of administration resources to the local authority will not allow current levels of employment to be retained within the local development companies,” said Mr Dempsey. He said there is little prospect of these private industry jobs transferring to local authorities, which are governed by the Croke Park Agreement to cut public service cost and staff numbers. At risk could be 36 local development jobs in West Cork, and about 2,000 nationally. Mr Dempsey said the principle of alignment of strategies and resources is to be welcomed, but warned that the Government plan is at variance with European Commission proposals and the European Court of Auditors’ position. The Commission wants EU-funded local development in the 2014-2020 period led by local action groups representing public and private interests. Mr Dempsey warned of loss of local autonomy, volunteerism and active citizenship if the Government plan goes ahead, for socio economic committees (SECs) in each county and city council to take responsibility for local and community development. In Co Cork, a 15-member SEC (or sub-county structures) would reduce local engagement to a fraction of its current level. He also highlighted the absence of a valid business case to show the proposed re-arrangement would enhance or improve development, or its resourcing and accountability. He warned of further attrition and loss of services, facilities and resources in rural areas. The Irish Local Development Network has led opposition to the Government’s alignment plans, and highlighted concerns to nearly 150 TDs and Senators at their recent event in Dublin. ILDN chairman John Walsh said: “This reform would basically result in decision-making and funding being removed from community-led bodies with a proven track record of success, and placed in the hands of local authorities. “This makes absolutely no sense, the current system of local development in Ireland is viewed as a model of best practice at European level.” The ILDN has welcomed Mr Hogan’s agreement to discuss their concerns over the coming weeks. © Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved Share on facebook 18 Share on twitter 3 Share on google_plusone_shareMore Sharing Services Irish Examiner live news app for smartphones lets you quickly access breaking news, sport, business, entertainment and weather. APPSTOREGOOGLE PLAY Irish Examiner ePaper app gives you the entire newspaper delivered to your phone or tablet for as little as 55c a day. EPAPER T
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:01:05 +0000
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