Vol. 566 No. 4
176 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals for the adequate funding of local govern ment; the terms of reference of the independent review of local government funding announced on 14 February 2003; the person by whom the review will be undertaken; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12961/03]
While the terms of reference for the review of funding of local government are still being finalised, I anticipate they will cover issues such as: projections of likely expenditure and income requirements of local authorities in the medium term; review of the existing system of funding local authorities and its potential to meet likely expenditure and income requirements; evaluation of the efficiency of the structure, organisation and service delivery of the current local government system, including the administrative and funding arrangements for local development generally; and options for revised arrangements for funding local government including implementation strategies.
Consultants to carry out the review will be appointed following an open competitive process and the public notification to initiate the tender process will issue shortly.
