Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Local Authority Funding.

Austin Deasy

Question:

185 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make an interim allocation to Dungarvan Urban District Council until a significant industrial base is set up to replace Waterford Foods in view of the severe financial difficulties being encountered following the closure of that company in 1998. [26700/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Since 1997 I have significantly increased the levels of funding available for the general purpose requirements of all local authorities. In the case of Dungarvan UDC, its year 2000 allocation of £483,953 from the local government fund represents a substantial increase of 26% over its initial 1997 allocation. While I appreciate the difficulties faced by the council as a result of the closure of a local business, I regret that it is not possible to make further funding available to any local authority, including Dungarvan UDC, in respect of 2000.

Work is under way on the development of an equalisation grant distribution model to allocate funds from the local government fund on a fair and equitable basis taking account of the needs and resources of individual local authorities. It is intended that the model will be used as the basis for the allocation of funds from the local government fund in future years.