Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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613. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department plans to review the public participation network and local authority participation structures as part of the review set out in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35868/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My officials are working to progress the commitment given in the Programme for Government to carry out a comprehensive review of the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) to ensure that they are fit for purpose for climate action and community development.

Late last year my officials went to tender for a root-and-branch review of Public Participation Network structures. This was seen as timely, not only with regard to the commitment in the Programme for Government, but also given the length of time since the PPNs were established under the 2014 Local Government Reform Act.

Mazars were selected earlier this year as the winning tenderers to carry out the review. The first stage of the process is complete with an online survey now closed and the analysis is currently taking place of 665 completed responses received. Targeted focus groups will commence later this month and continue in September and it’s expected that the consultants will provide a draft report with recommendations to my Department before the end of this year.

Local Authorities published their first Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP) in 2016/2017. These plans are required under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and span a six year period. The early stages of the development of new LECPs is now underway.

My Department is currently chairing an Advisory Group to finalise a comprehensive set of guidelines for Local Authorities to support the development of the new LECPs. The guideline document is currently in the final stages of development and will be published as a statutory guideline under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 in due course.