Local development reform sparks job fears

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.