Foreword from the Chairman, Draft Strategy, Kerry County Development Board

The Kerry County Development Board was established on the 18th February 2000, as an initiative of Government, with the objective of developing a countywide strategy focusing on sustainable economic, social & cultural development. The Board is one of 34 Boards established by Government in cities and counties throughout the Country and is given statutory recognition under the Local Government Act, 2001. Never before has a gathering of all the major players in the County taken place in such a structured fashion. The potential of the Board containing representatives from Local Government, State Agencies, Local Development Groups and Social Partners is significant.

The Board and its processes offer the County a real opportunity to examine social, technical, environmental and cultural issues and ensure that public services are streamlined in a co-ordinated, efficient and democratic manner. The ownership of this process by the community is essential to its success.

The Board met on twelve occasions between the 18th February 2000 and 10th April 2002.
The draft of this Strategy was launched by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donoghue T.D. on the 3rd December 2001 and this was followed by an extensive and detailed public consultation process. The development of this Strategy has been highly consultative in nature and this has ensured a broad consensus on the key strategic objectives.

The success of this Strategy will be determined by the extent to which the various public and other authorities in this county move towards co-ordinated and integrated service delivery mechanisms in the future.

I sincerely hope that this Strategy engages people in the implementation process to the same extent witnessed in the consultative process and that together, we can meet the realistic expectations of the people of Kerry.