asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that the check prescribed by article 45 of the Public Bodies Order, 1946 shall be kept in a note on the accounts of the rate and rent collectors of all public bodies; and what steps his Department have taken in the past to ensure that this check is carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates and Rents Collection.
29.
Mr. Barrett
The responsibility for ensuring that the check prescribed by article 45 of the Public Bodies Order 1946 is carried out rests with the manager of a local authority. Where it is found during the course of an audit that the prescribed check has not been made the omission is brought to the notice of the manager by the local government auditor. References in auditor's reports to matters of this nature are brought specifically to the local authority's attention by the Department for appropriate action. There has been no general complaint that the check prescribed by article 45 is not being carried out and I do not think that any special measures are required.
Mr. Barrett
Has the Minister ensured that the check prescribed has been carried out by making inquiries?
If the Deputy gives me any indication that it has not been carried out in a particular case, I will certainly take the matter up.
Mr. Barrett
Would the Minister inquire from each local authority?
I have no objection to doing that.