Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Authority Funding.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

188 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if all local authorities will be refunded in full by his Department for the costs they have incurred to date and will incur in the next five years particularly in relation to the recruitment of directors of community and enterprise, the establishment of city and county development boards, the formulation or strategies for economic, social and cultural development for each county and costs arising from the establishment of community fora in each county. [3611/00]

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

189 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, his Department has put in place for the training of county development board members in relation to the integration of local government and local development. [3612/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own expenditure requirements in the context of its annual estimates. Expenditure arising on the issues referred to by the Deputy would be dealt with by local authorities in this estimates context. Such expenditure is funded from a variety of sources including the local government fund and other State grants, rates and fees and charges.

Grants totalling £339.3 million have been allocated to local authorities from the local government fund in respect of the year 2000 as a contribution towards their general purposes needs, including county-city development board – CDB – related expenditure.

Work is progressing on the development of a needs and resources distribution model by a project team from Galway County Council in conjunction with my Department. The model will be used as a basis for allocating funds from the local government fund in future years. It will take into account the needs and resources of all local authorities, including expenditure needs in relation to CDBs.

In the main representation on the CDBs from State and other sectors will be at senior official level. These officers will be expected to bring their expertise in relation to their agencies to the table. Local authority representation will be predominately at elected member level. I have put in place a comprehensive programme of training for councillors which encompasses, among others, the chairs of SPCs who will be CDB members. This training will greatly facilitate their participation on the CDBs.