Vol. 555 No. 3
250 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if there will be extra resources allocated from his Department to Drogheda in consideration of the massive population increase that now makes Drogheda the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18552/02]
I presume the resources to which the question refers are the annual general purpose allocations from the Local Government Fund. Drogheda Borough Council has received substantial increases in these allocations from my Department in recent years. The allocation for 2002 is €3.7 million, which represents an increase of 37.5% over the 2001 baseline allocation and is some 117% higher than the corresponding allocation in 1997. This funding is in addition to other State grants. Local authorities also have access to local sources of income from commercial rates and other fees and charges.
In determining the general purpose allocations for 2003, regard will be had to the needs and resources model which amongst other factors takes account of the latest reliable population figures for each authority.
