There is no devolution of power

The Government has enacted legislation for what they describe as the most significant reform of local government since the foundation of the State. They promised greater devolution of powers from central government to local councils.

If the public believe this is happening, they are seriously mistaken.

Let me give just one small example: until this year, if a disabled person living in a council house applied to have a ramp fitted at their front door, or to have a stairs-lift installed (cost €1,000-€3,000), the application would go before a senior executive officer in the council, who would examine the application, clerk of works’ report or occupational therapist’s report, medical evidence, etc. The decision would then be made as to whether the works were necessary and beneficial to the tenant.

This year, the game has changed, and not for the better. Along with all of the above procedures, the application now has also to go to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. There, senior civil servants will examine, consider, discuss and deliberate if Joe or Mary Soap, in Borris-in-Ossory or Ballyjamesduff, should have essential alterations carried out on their homes. What a waste of time and public money. Little wonder the system doesn’t work. Layers of bureaucracy, and micro-management and appalling procedures suffocate local government.

I raised this issue in the Dáil, earlier this year, with the then Minister for Housing, Jan O’Sullivan. I also spoke to both her and Minister Phil Hogan about it, informally, but nothing has changed. Submissions from councils around the country lie in the department, while elderly and disabled tenants cannot get in through their front doors or access their bathrooms. The money wasted through bureaucracy would, in many cases, have covered the cost of the actual works. When are we going to get real reform and cut this nonsense and waste?

Brian Stanley, TD

5 Church Street

Portlaoise

Co Laois