About MCDB

"There has been a phenomenal growth in the range and complexity of public services provided locally over the past decade or so, as the public service reshapes itself to cope with the new emerging local needs. Some of these services are provided under the guidance of their local government system; others by new local development agencies operating parallel to the local government system; and still more by central government and its agencies. All this effort is admirable, but the sum of the individual effort is not always apparent. It needs co-ordination and leadership to help avoid overlaps and, indeed, to identify and meet the needs not currently being met.

The County/City Development Boards represent a new way for public services to think and operate. They draw on the traditional Irish concept of Meitheal - of working together. The Boards bring together all players locally - the public sector agencies, the social partners and, most important, local communities and the voluntary sector to seek common cause in developing their counties and cities."

Noel Dempsey, T.D.,
Minister for the Environment and local Government

Ireland's Local Government system is undergoing a process of major reform and review. One of the main aspects of this change is the establishment of the County Development Board (CDB). The CDB comprises of local development bodies, the social partners including the community and voluntary sector, representatives of relevant state agencies at local level and local elected members.

The function of the Board is threefold:

1. Having prepared and agreed an integrated Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural development in Mayo, the Board is now concentrating on ensuring the vision for the future development of Mayo is realised with all of the partners working together in a common framework.
2. To promote interagency liaison and co-operation in relation to plans and policies. This involves working to ensure that all agency plans and policies dovetail and are complementary and meaningful at the local level. The desired outcome is integrated strategic planning that addresses local issues and concerns.
3. To promote partnership, co-operation and co-ordination in relation to all services delivered in Mayo. Increased partnership and co-operation between local service deliverers and a greater level of service co-ordination is intended to have the effect of ensuring that the people that use services have their needs more adequately met.