merrion street

Local Government Minister Phil Hogan today announced the implementation of a range of reforms to the local government system in Ireland.

The Minister said:

Tomorrow, 1 June 2014, marks the most far-reaching change in structures, functions, operational arrangements and governance in the Irish local government system since the current system came into being 115 years ago in 1899. The changes that are being made are radical, but they are necessary to bring our local government system up to date and to provide the kind of service our citizens and communities deserve.

The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, published in October 2012, and the Local Government Reform Act 2014 set out a realistic, measured, pathway towards an even wider role for local government in the future. The streamlined structures, more sustainable funding base, and more efficient operational arrangements that are being implemented make this a realistic objective, which will be further underpinned by more effective governance arrangements and a more responsible leadership and oversight role for the elected councils.

The Minister continued:

Of the many reforms that will come into effect on 1 June, the major structural reforms will be the most radical and visible. From tomorrow the number of local authorities will reduce from 114 to 31, involving the merger of Limerick city and county councils, Waterford city and county councils and North and South Tipperary county councils, as well as the dissolution of the 80 town councils and other subsidiary bodies. The 2014 local elections see 949 councillors elected across the country to the new structures, down from 1,627 outgoing councillors. These changes will eliminate duplication by ensuring more streamlined structures and the resources that were previously absorbed by these structures and processes will now be freed-up to improve front-line services and to enhance the quality of life in local communities.