Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

significant administrative overheads, especially for small organisations,
diverting resources away from the primary mission of local development
bodies. HR services are provided by IBEC or other HR providers. Pobal
(formerly ADM) which provides central support and supervises the work of
local development bodies, as well as acting as a channel through which
funding is provided, has recently been requested by the Department of
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to pilot a central HR service for
the companies with a view to achieving efficiencies and a standardised
approach. This is to be reviewed by the end of 2010.
12.2.10 The involvement of local authorities as outlined above has the potential to
generate efficiencies. However, issues around local development company
staff currently carrying out such functions and the implications of the EU
Transfer of Undertakings Regulations would require consideration in this
regard.
12.2.11 Currently Pobal manages the LCDP on behalf of the Department of
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. It has carried out this role for
almost two decades. Pobal provides a wide range of services in this context
(including programme planning and design, appraisal, contract
management, risk audit and programme audit etc.). Given that the LCDP is
national programme, delivered locally, the Pobal role is considered an
essential one. This role could be replicated by a Government Department
or other national body but, hardly at significantly less cost then the current
arrangements. In this respect, it is important to note the efficiencies that
have been achieved within Pobal in recent years and that this is an ongoing
process. On balance, pursuing more efficiency through current structures
would seem to be a better option than trying to do so through new
structures.
12.2.12 Of the 52 Local Development Companies (LDCs), 36 also deliver the Rural
Development Programme (RDP). Each of these LDCs has a contract with
the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to deliver the
Programme to end-2013 (effectively 2015 for technical reasons). That
delivery model cannot be changed mid-Programme. In the event that a new
Programme emerges to replace the current RDP, post-2013, new delivery
models, including using local authorities, could be possible.
12.2.13 In recent years, the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht
Affairs, with the support of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and
Local Government have made a major investment in the cohesion initiative,
which led to the rationalisation of local delivery structures (from 94 to 53,
now 52) from January 2009. The new structures have also achieved
efficiencies and better integrated service delivery at local level and, for the
first time, country-wide coverage.
12.2.14 The Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs is now
seeking in the context of the new integrated Local and Community
Development Programme (LCDP) which rolled-out on 1 January 2010, and
which supersedes both the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme
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