Agenda item

Minutes:

Copy of presentation was provided in advance of the meeting in the ModGov pack.

 

Anthony Flynn presented to Members on the progress of the EU Programme Participation Strategy and establishment of the EU Programme Support Office. The Chair thanked the Presenter and opened the floor to Questions and Answers.

 

Cllr. Freehill expressed concern at lack of progress on the establishment of the Office and recruitment of suitably qualified candidate to Head this new Office; and queried the 15 leads quoted under European joint funding with Belfast, and the programmes currently being looked at from European funding point of view, including who are the partners DCC are negotiating with.  The appointment of two new graduates to the new office was welcomed.

 

The Lord Mayor Cllr. Gilliland concurred with Cllr. Freehill’s comments in relation to recruitment for the EU Programme Support Office. She asked for clarity on the European Expert Framework and tender panel and asked how this new office will interact with DCC’s current International Affairs Office headed by Grainne Kelly.  The Lord Mayor asked what collaborative projects are planned for future.

 

Cllr. Cooney thanked the Presenter and reiterated the comments made by Cllr Freehill and Lord Mayor. She expressed concerns about the business case and funding from the Department and voiced concerns about recruitment of suitable staff.

 

The Presenter replied as follows:

A significant amount of work has taken place in the background to ensure that the EU Programme Support Office will be fit for purpose and the presenter thought he had demonstrated this in a robust way in his presentation.

The job description and business case are both very clear that expertise will be required in EU Affairs.  He thanked the hard work of Mary MacSweeney, Ciara O hAodha and Grainne Kelly and in particular he paid thanks to Ciara O hAodha who he informed the Members has been reassigned to Interim Head of the EU Office in the interim and commended her for her work and dedication thus far.  He advised that he could see no reason why the business case would be rejected by the Department, the business case was signed off by both the DCC’s Chief Executive and Head of Human Resources.  The procedures and policies in place for both existing and new posts have been established for some time.  He confirmed that no funding was being asked from the Department in relation to the establishment of this new Office, the City Council have set aside funds to facilitate the establishment and running of the new Office.  He explained the workings of the EU framework panel and it would be made up of an expert panel, similar to panels already in existence in Economic Development and LEO.  As and when necessary services are required, DCC can use this panel of experts to draw on. There is continuous interaction on an internal basis between the International Relations Office and other offices such as Smart Cities.  The EU Programme Participation Strategy 2021-2027 (page 11-14) of presentation outlined the EU Programmes that are tailored for local authorities and relevant specifically to Dublin City Council.

 

The Chair commended the work of everyone involved in the launch of the EU Programme Participation Strategy and thanked Members who both contributed and attended it.  The Chair advised that this item was a standing item on the agenda and a further contribution would be made at the next meeting of the SPC in November.

 

 

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