The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Speaking at a Shannon Chamber organised event last Friday, Minister Phil Hogan claimed credit for making changes to local government, and staunchly defended the establishment of Irish Water. Regarding changes to local authorities, he said, “We have in difficult times, and in difficult political times for myself, brought about the most radical reform of local government in 100 years.” While there has been criticism, not least in Clare, of his move to bring Local Development Companies under the auspices of county councils, he said it is the right move. “It’s not acceptable that 29% of the money that I give out in the social inclusion measures that are essential for frontline services and communities are spent on administration. We have to reduce that. We also want to ensure that we have greater financial autonomy and greater financial management in relation to the money that we give and we’re going to do that through an existing public service organisation called local …
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