Michael Ring
Question:486 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the land banks in County Mayo which are owned by the county council; and the exact location, size and ownership of each land bank. [3208/03]
Written Answers. - Local Authority Lands.
The Government decided in 2000 to establish a national public property register, under the aegis of the Department of Finance, which will contain information on lands and buildings in the ownership of Departments and State agencies. My Department received information from Mayo County Council in 2001 on the amount of land owned by the local authority in connection with the development of this register. This data is currently being verified with the local authority and updated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As part of their move towards the introduction of a new accrual accounting system, local authorities are also currently in the process of identifying their recently acquired and historical assets, which would include land. From 1 January all assets purchased by local authorities must be accounted for in their financial accounts. By mid 2003 I expect every local authority will have all historical assets in their accounts, including information on land holdings.