asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the estimated cost of over £1 million for the renovation of Waterford courthouse which, if paid in full by the Waterford County Council and Corporation, will result in the curtailment of their existing services and any further capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Courthouse Renovation.
19.
I am aware that Waterford courthouse is being renovated. In view of the fact that work is at a very early stage, it is not possible to say precisely what impact the courthouse renovation may eventually have on the finances of the local authorities concerned. As the Deputy is aware, a high proportion of local expenditure is borne by Exchequer subventions. At this stage there is no question of the services of the county council or the availability to it of finance for other capital expenditure being affected.
Is the Minister aware that the cost of the improvements to the Waterford courthouse will probably exceed £1 million? Is he aware that the City Manager and the County Manager of Waterford have stated in public that, if the full burden of the repayments falls on the local authorities concerned, services will have to be curtailed? Is he further aware that in the context of other capital improvements such as the East Waterford regional water scheme there will be a severe curtailment on the options available to Waterford city and county to improve their capital infrastructure?
It is not possible at this stage to predict the likely financial requirements of the work in any year. The Deputy suggested that because of this courthouse work there will be no finance available to the two local authorities concerned to undertake capital projects such as housing, water and sewerage schemes. The courthouse renovation has nothing to do with the capital allocations made available for these other services.
Does the Minister think it is the proper way to finance the building and repair of courthouses to have the cost thereof falling on the local authorities? Does he agree that these matters should be dealt with by the Central Exchequer?
The question deals with Waterford.
My point is that they should be dealt with on a national basis.
It is not a levy on the local authorities when you remember that more than 50 per cent is now made available from the Exchequer because of the rates relief granted.
If insufficient money is being made available——
There is no question of its being levied totally on the local authorities.
If insufficient money is being made available to the local authorities to repair the courthouses and put them in proper order, that is not the answer. The point I am raising is whether the whole question of construction and repair of courthouses should be a matter for the National Exchequer rather than the local authorities.
That is the way it has been done.
Does the Minister feel it should be looked at? The fact that it has been done for the past 100 years does not mean it is the right thing to do.
Is the Minister aware that the servicing of the loan provided to pay for the improvements to the courthouse will fall back on the finances of the corporation and the county council? In that context it will affect the moneys available for expenditure. Can the Minister assure me that the capital allocation to Waterford county and Waterford city will be separated from the allocation in respect of the loan for Waterford courthouse? Is he considering introducing legislation to ensure that expenditure on courthouses will fall on the Central Fund rather than on the local authorities?
The renovation of Waterford courthouse will have nothing to do with capital allocations for other services. I have no legislation on this under preparation at the moment.
Would the Minister consider introducing such legislation in view of the large number of courthouses which need to be renovated on an ongoing basis?
Such legislation is not being considered at this stage.