Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 2014

Vol. 235 No. 10

Adjournment Matters

Heritage Sites

Senator Paul Coghlan

I am grateful to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for coming to the House to take this Adjournment Matter regarding Killarney House and gardens, to outline her plans for both and to say when they will open, how they will be managed and staffed and what they will showcase. I was hugely impressed when I visited them with the Minister, following her recent visit to Muckross House for its 50th anniversary. I think she was also very impressed by what we saw in Killarney House and the tremendous restoration work that has been undertaken there.

As we know, Killarney House is a stunning venue located in the town of Killarney and in the national park at the Golden Gates. It has the potential to contain a most comprehensive introduction to Killarney National Park. The gardens are spread over 35 acres and will be a most attractive feature, being, if I may say so, Killarney's answer to St. Stephen's Green and a beautiful town park in our foremost national park.

The house has a rich, varied and interesting history, being as it was the home of the Earls of Kenmare and Lord Castlerosse. Much of our history in that part of the world is bound up with that family. It was also the home the John McShain who was known as the man who had built Washington, associated as he was with many of its outstanding buildings, including the White House and the Pentagon. He was also the man who gifted Ross Castle and Inisfallen Island to the nation. Inisfallen is where the annals were written and which are now located in the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

For many years, I have campaigned to have this house restored to its former glory and I am, therefore, delighted, as is everybody in Killarney, County Kerry and perhaps throughout the nation, that it is now on the verge of opening, following a huge €7.1 million investment which was provided through Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital investment programme and the Minister's Department. Our entire tourism industry is looking forward to the Minister opening the house and gardens for the 2015 tourism season.

Given the huge investment, adequate management and staffing will be necessary to complement both the house and gardens and to ensure they are displayed to their true potential. The Minster might say a word as to what she has in mind in terms of how they will be managed and staffed. Presumably, there will be a charge because maintenance, ongoing improvements and so on will be necessary from time to time, although given the huge initial investment, it will be a while before they arise. I understand there will be an audiovisual or a multipurpose space at the back, which will need care and attention for exhibitions, talks, lectures and so on. I look forward very much to the Minister's words of wisdom and her enlightening me further.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Heather Humphreys)

In 2011 my Department announced a major refurbishment programme for Killarney House and its ornamental grounds and gardens and it was a pleasure to visit Killarney House some weeks ago. This is a major project for my Department and involves collaboration with the Office of Public Works as project managers and Fáilte Ireland which has committed funding of €5.2 million under its tourism capital investment programme.

When I visited Killarney House on 29 September, following the Europark 2014 annual conference, which was held in Killarney and was a great success, I saw for myself the work that was under way. Work is under way on the final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works for Killarney House. The refurbished house, in its historic and very beautiful setting, will function as a national park visitor centre and provide an added attraction for visitors to the town.

The visitor centre project includes a newly built extension to house an interpretative centre for the national park, explaining its significance and importance to the town and region, including information on its major themes such as mountain, wood, water and the human impact on the environment. Also, as part of the new build element, the provision of exhibition space will be included to cater for temporary exhibitions, displays and cultural events. The original ornamental grounds and gardens immediately surrounding the house will also be restored, creating spectacular landscaped areas that will merge into the natural areas of the park and providing vistas linking the town to the scenery of mountain, wood and water.

Having walked the grounds with the Senator, I must say the restoration of the garden is very impressive. A phased approach to the restoration has been adopted and the first two phases were required to safeguard the structural integrity and to create the optimal layout of the house in preparation for the full restoration works. Phase one was completed in February 2012 and consisted of essential repair works, mainly to the external fabric of the building, including repairs to the roof, chimney stacks, flues, gutters, down-pipes, windows and drains. The external render was also removed to enable essential repairs to the stonework. Phase two was completed in February 2013 and consisted of the further repair and stabilisation of the main building and repointing of internal courtyard walls. The final phase of works to the house, which began in early January, is expected to be complete by early December 2014. The new-build extension and hard landscaping works - paths, paving, stonework, etc. - are progressing apace, with the soft landscaping works due to commence shortly. In addition, planning for the interpretation for both the house and its ornamental grounds and gardens is advancing with expressions of interest recently sought by way of competitive tender for the position of interpretative exhibition designer to the project.

As regards staffing arrangements for Killarney House, the Senator will be aware that my Department is subject to the moratorium on public service recruitment. However, the staffing requirements for the house, as with all other areas of my Department, will remain the subject of ongoing consideration in the light of the overall business needs and within the pay framework approved for 2015. The restoration project will be substantially complete by end 2014 with a view to the site being fully operational and open to the public in 2015. I look forward to attending the opening.

Senator Paul Coghlan

I look forward to the Minister opening the house and gardens as soon as possible. I was delighted to note that there was Kerry marble on display among the paving and stonework to which the Minister referred. There was no reference in the reply to the beautiful antique furniture owned by former occupants of the house being displayed in particular rooms, although I understand that is what is proposed. I understand rooms will be dedicated to the memory of the McShains, the Kenmares and Lord Castlerosse. I would welcome a brief comment from the Minister in this regard.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

In regard to the rooms, I am sure there will be no problem with some of them being named after some of the-----

Senator Paul Coghlan

They do not have to be named after them.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

They will contain some of their furniture.

Senator Paul Coghlan

Memorabilia.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

Yes. While I am not familiar with the exact details, I imagine that will be the case. I do not see any problem with what the Senator suggests. The Department has a vision of what the house, its ornamental grounds and gardens will become. I am confident that we can optimise the potential of Killarney House as a top-class visitor and tourism centre, while respecting its status as a heritage property managed by the Department. Killarney House is a fabulous project which, when complete, will be a tremendous facility for the people of the town and the wider area. As a result of the work taking place at the house and gardens, the wider area, otherwise quite derelict, is being cleaned up.

Senator Paul Coghlan

The Department should make play of the golden gates at the magnificent entrance.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

We will pay attention to the golden gates.

Vocational Education Committees Expenditure

Senator Paul Bradford

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris. Obviously, my preference would have been to have the Minister for Education and Skills respond to my query. However, it is appropriate in one sense that the Minister of State is here because issues such as good governance in terms of the spending of taxpayers money is at the core of this matter and, in particular, the regular flow of correspondence to the Department by a former member of County Cork VEC, on whose behalf I raise this issue.

I was a member of County Cork VEC for a brief time in 1990 and as such, I am very much aware of the drive, commitment and enthusiasm of the staff there. The former member of County Cork VEC on whose behalf I raise this issue, while as committed as any other member, past or current, of that VEC, has serious concerns about it. By way of an aside, I was surprised to learn of the attempts of the management and membership of County Cork VEC to have this member struck off the committee. I understand they even wrote to the former Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, requesting that he be dismissed from the board. I found that quite disturbing, although that is not the subject of my query today. Fortunately, the former Minister did not accede to the request.

The correspondence which issued to the former Minister and the current Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, raises fundamental questions regarding the spending of taxpayers' money and the decision-making process. We are all aware of the phrase "the independent republic of Cork". However, even within that independent republic of Cork normal rules and regulations, in terms of the management and governance of an entity such as the former VEC, must pertain. Questions have been raised about leasing arrangements. It is almost two decades since I was a member of the committee of that VEC and so I am not an expert on its internal structures. However, I am advised that up to 20 unusual leases appear to have been entered into, which is the subject of some of the concerns raised by the gentleman who has been in contact with me. He was so concerned that he brought this matter to the attention of the Committee of Public Accounts. I am advised that a previous Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills, Ms McManus, appeared before that committee and responded to some degree to the concerns raised. The matter is now with the Comptroller and Auditor General. I am advised that a report will be made available in the near future. I understand the Department of Education and Skills has a certain timeframe to reflect on the matter.

It is not too often that a body such as the former VEC has its business examined in the first instance by the Committee of Public Accounts and, second, by the Comptroller and Auditor General. That this is happening shows the serious nature of the situation. The Irish Examiner has been to the fore in highlighting many of the queries raised. One of its reporters has carried out serious investigative work in this regard. It is not in any of our interests to attack the officials, past or current, of the VEC. However, we must ensure that governance is appropriate and that taxpayers' money is spent in a legal manner and that all is above board. The evidence presented to me would seem to suggest that there are serious doubts about some of the decisions made by the former VEC, particularly in relation to the 20 plus leases mentioned.

I ask the Minister of State to ensure the Minister takes this matter seriously. She is in the fortunate position of being Minister for Education and Skills for only a few months and cannot be held responsible for earlier decisions or omissions.

Now that the file is on her desk she must take the matter very seriously and fully investigate the questions brought to her attention.

An interim reply and then a slightly more substantive reply issued from the Department in early November but it does not answer any of the questions raised by the complainant. Reference is made to the vocational support services unit. The Department advised that the terms of reference for sale have been agreed, but I am advised that they have not been agreed. I would like the Minister to comment on that. There are significant issues which must be aired fully. I look forward to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. The country has been littered with the politics of sweeping matters under the carpet, something we must bring to a conclusion. It is in everybody's interest that this matter is fully examined under the full spotlight of all the appropriate State agencies to enable us to assure taxpayers that money is being spent in an appropriate fashion and that any inappropriate decisions are fully examined and a full response is given.

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Simon Harris)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to be in the Seanad this evening. I thank the Senator for raising this issue because it affords me the opportunity to clarify to the House the matters referred to in correspondence on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan.

The correspondent wrote to the Minister for Education and Skills in regard to a number of events at County Cork VEC which arose during his time as a member of that vocational education committee, as Senator Bradford has outlined. The correspondent referred to certain matters being investigated by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which will be the subject of a special report in due course. The correspondent also asked the Minister for Education and Skills to initiate an investigation into the specific section of the Department which has been dealing with County Cork VEC and its management of those matters.

The Minister gave full and detailed consideration to the matters raised by this correspondent, including the request for an investigation into the specific section of the Department which has been dealing with County Cork VEC. She determined that an investigation was not warranted. She requested the Secretary General of her Department to advise the correspondent of her decision in regard to the request for an investigation and to respond on her behalf to the other issues raised in the correspondence. The correspondent met senior officials of the Department of Education and Skills, including the Secretary General, to discuss his concerns relating to County Cork VEC.

I clarify for the House that County Cork VEC was a body corporate established and operated in accordance with the Vocational Education Acts 1930 to 2001. The person accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts and other Dáil committees in law for the performance of County Cork VEC was the chief executive officer of that body. The accountability now lies with the chief executive officer of Cork Education and Training Board.

As previously indicated, the matters referred to in the correspondence are the subject of an investigation being conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Department of Education and Skills has co-operated fully with the Comptroller and Auditor General in regard to that investigation. The Department was recently provided with a draft report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, on which the Senator has sought an update and the Department has provided its observations. It is expected that the report will be finalised shortly by the Comptroller and Auditor General and published by that office at a time of its choosing.

I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity to respond to the House on this matter. As a former member of the Committee of Public Accounts, I had some dealings with the said individual and those allegations. I am very proud of the work that committee has done on a cross-party basis. It is important we have a forum where people, be they public representatives or citizens, can bring forward those concerns and that they can be investigated. I am pleased that the Comptroller and Auditor General will shortly publish a report on this and other matters.

Senator Paul Bradford

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and note his comments. It is not news to me that the Minister, having given detailed consideration to matters raised by the correspondent, determined that an investigation was not warranted at this stage. I trust, however, that once the Comptroller and Auditor General's report is published and if it is deemed necessary, or if certain facts are brought to further light, the Minister will be willing to reflect on the need to have a more detailed investigation. I trust the Minister of State will be able to confirm that the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will have a open mind on that because until such time as the report is published by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we will not be able to make any significant determination.

Deputy Simon Harris

While I cannot confirm what is in anybody else's mind or thought processes, I can confirm to the House that I will convey the Senator's views to the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and ensure she has a transcript of this debate. My view on this, and one I will convey to the Minister and have conveyed on a number of occasions to the Committee of Public Accounts during my time there, is that if the Comptroller and Auditor General, as an independent constitutional office of this State, raises questions - I have not seen the report and do not wish to pre-empt it - it would be important that we would all reflect and act upon whatever recommendations or conclusions that independent constitutional office arrives at. It is an office that is held in very high regard by the taxpayers and citizens of this country and by Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas. Like many others, I eagerly await the publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. I once again thank the individual who made the complaint for bringing it forward to the Committee of Public Accounts. It is important that people have that forum and I am pleased that Comptroller and Auditor General is examining it.

Health Services

Senator John Whelan

I welcome the Minister of State. I have long been of the view that how we treat our senior citizens in the autumn of their years will be one of the crucial yardsticks by which we will be judged not only as a Government but as a society.

Every since I was fortunate to be elected to the Seanad, almost four years ago, I have always tried to address issues by looking at the bigger picture and at policies in a constructive fashion rather than going down the road of personal interests or what people might refer to as parochial issues. However, I must declare an personal interest in the issue I am raising but, nonetheless, it pertains to policy.

I grew up in the town of Monasterevin, went to school there and have many family and friends still living there. It is a town that is noted and renowned for its community spirit, for the manner in which it rallies around families and has great credentials in terms of voluntarism and being a community that puts its best foot forward at all times.

A great reflection of that is that as far back as 1996 the Friends of the Elderly in the town pooled their resources in terms of materials, energy, efforts, skills and finances and established a day-care centre for the elderly in the town in the house of the former general practitioner on Drogheda Street. It was an appropriate setting. I knew the GP at that time, Dr. Kirby. He was a well regarded and respected man. As a young boy I had a newspaper round in the town and I delivered the newspaper to his house on Drogheda Street. The house was put to very good use. It was renovated, upgraded and has been used since 1996 as a very significant day-care centre for the elderly who go there on a daily basis to socialise, learn new skills and to congregate with people of their own age group. However, I am disappointed and dismayed about what has happened. The HSE indicated some months ago that the property had fallen into some disrepair and that there were issues regarding the wiring and electrical works which had to be repaired. That work was under way and being conducted by the local committee when the HSE intervened and said that it would take over the works and that the day care centre would have to be transferred temporarily. Through the good co-operation of the local GAA club, Monasterevin GAA, they agreed to that and relocated the day-care centre activities to the GAA centre on a temporary basis. However, to our horror and disappointment, in recent weeks the HSE put a stop to the works, turned a key in the door and last week it had the electricity disconnected to the original property. I am alarmed by this. What has happened is sharp practice. It was an underhand way of doing business. It certainly was not up-front.

I am trying to be constructive and sincerely hope the Health Service Executive is not trying to balance its year-end books on the backs of the elderly people of this parish.

I am told it has informed the local committee that the cost of the works required now are of the magnitude of €100,000. If that is the case, that money must be found because the day care centre cannot operate on a long-term basis in the Monasterevin GAA Club. That would not be appropriate for anyone. I implore the Minister of State to intervene, bring some clarity to the situation and help provide the necessary funding because it is unconscionable that the town that had a day care centre for this length of time would lose a service which is so important to the community.

Deputy Simon Harris

I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. It is clear from listening to his account the personal and deep feelings he has towards this day care centre and the important service it provides for the people of Monasterevin. I know the Senator declared an interest but being able to bring personal experience to formulate policy is a strength in the political system and one I hope will continue.

The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and to support access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including home help, home care packages, meals on wheels, respite or day care and a range of other community-based supports. The executive works continually to develop the services provided to ensure they match the needs of older people as much as possible.

New approaches to home support, increased use of technology and new residential models may all have a part to play. Access to day centres can no doubt make an important contribution by providing invaluable support, advice and social interaction for older people who may, for any number of reasons, be experiencing isolation and loneliness. One cannot underestimate the importance of being able to bring people together and the social importance of such a day care centre.

Since 1997, Monasterevin day care centre had been operating as a social outlet twice weekly from a large property owned by the HSE on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin. I emphasise, however, that the day centre has never provided medical or personal care, as the Senator acknowledges. I understand the building was also used by a number of groups locally for events and activities unrelated to the day care centre. This included some events and activities of which the HSE was unaware.

In 2013, the executive became aware of safety issues relating to the electrical wiring on the premises. Following the completion of some remedial works the HSE employed a contractor to carry out a fire safety inspection of the building. The building was assessed as being unsafe and, as the Senator rightly said, the estimated cost for the scope of the works required to bring the building to current health and safety standards is in excess of €100,000. The HSE made a decision that the investment required cannot be justified given the level of services provided by the HSE there, and a representative of the Monasterevin group was advised last October of this decision.

I do not need to tell the Senator about the current economic and budgetary pressures, and notwithstanding the better economic news recently, resources remain tight across a number of areas. Many areas continue to face real challenges in meeting demands on their services. I understand Monasterevin day care operates its service from a local GAA centre two days per week. The HSE provides the group with a grant aid of €3,700 per year in support of those activities, and we will continue to support this service.

I am pleased to advise the Senator that the HSE has informed the Department of Health that it is willing to meet the group to ensure the continuation of the service and explore the use of any other facility that could accommodate it. I hope through the Senator's good offices that that meeting can take place and that the HSE will, with the group, explore the possibilities and discuss the provision of services and how best to go forward from here. I thank the Senator for bringing the matter to my attention and will convey his sentiments to the Minister.

Senator John Whelan

I thank the Minister for the reply. It provides clarity, but I am dismayed and disappointed. I will not leave it at that. The grant of €3,700 per annum is paltry considering the scale and extent of services. The HSE is downplaying the significance of the role of this day care centre because it goes well beyond the remit. In terms of the well-being of the senior citizens who enjoy these facilities, it plays a central role in keeping them hale, hearty and out of hospital and other institutions that would cost considerably more. If the HSE cannot come up with the €100,000, it is incumbent upon it to upgrade the existing building, which is important and very accessible to all the people in the heart of the town, or assist in sourcing an alternative building as suitable premises. It should have done that in advance of essentially hoodwinking the local community, getting the elderly citizens into a new premises and then closing the door behind their backs. I am not happy with the way the HSE went about its business in this case and I will not be leaving it so.

Deputy Simon Harris

I have no doubt the Senator will continue to pursue this matter and fight for the people in that community, but let us try to look at the common ground here and find a way forward. There is an acknowledgement from the HSE, the Senator and the wider community that this is an important service that we want to see continued within the community. There is also a reality that the building is deemed unsafe and the HSE states it cannot foot the bill to make it safe. We also have an offer from the HSE to the Department of Health to examine, with representatives of the group, the continuation of the services it is providing and explore the possibility of other facilities in the area that may be appropriate. I have no doubt the Senator and that group will engage with the HSE. It is important that we bang heads together to see if a way forward can be found. From the Senator recalling the events, I have no doubt that the services are very important. I welcome the opportunity for the HSE to engage with the group. I will convey the Senator's thoughts and the transcript of this debate to the Minister for Health.

Local Authority Funding

Senator Marc MacSharry

While the Minister of State is welcome, I am disappointed the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, is not present to deal with this very important issue on the need for the Minister to provide immediate financial assistance to Sligo County Council to ensure that in agreeing a budget for 2015, it does not unfairly penalise the citizens of Sligo and-or its businesses and industrial community because of the council's adherence to the policy directed by the Minister's Department.

This night last week the Minister secretly met his party colleagues, and those of the Minister of State, from this House and the other House in connection with Sligo County Council. He threatened at that stage that he would abolish Sligo County Council if within a two-week period it did not get on top of its own finances. To do that at this stage would be like Jean-Claude Trichet and the people in the European Central Bank telling the people of Ireland that they will take the entire hit, and all of the pain, on behalf of the European bondholders.

It is wrong to treat Sligo County Council and other small local authorities in isolation because in effect they have performed in line with the directions of the Minister's Department in the context of targets set by it on performance with water services, the upgrading of wastewater treatment facilities and the targets laid down by the national spatial strategy, which was driven and supported by members of the Minister of State's party, members of the Labour Party, Independents, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and many vocational, civic and commercial groups. That policy was being driven by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and towns like Sligo were told to prepare for an infrastructure to facilitate a population of 100,000 people.

Against that backdrop, local authorities, especially those selected as gateway centres, were told to be more ambitious and seek to engage in public private partnerships to ensure enough land was bought in order that local authorities would not be subservient to the developers of the future in the context of having enough land for the people for social housing, leisure space, industry and so on.

Sligo County Council did that in the context of water, an issue much to the fore in recent days. The costs between 2008 and 2012 for wastewater treatment and water services in Sligo increased from €5 million to €10 million per annum. In the same period, central Government subvention to that local authority decreased from €18 million to €9 million.

The Minister of State can see, therefore, where the problem lies. When that infrastructure is handed over to the super-quango that is Irish Water, there will be no recompense for the people of Sligo. No funding has been made available to them to cover that outlay in which they engaged over that time. Much of the debt in question has come along from the acquisition of land and the investment in wastewater treatment and water services.

For the Minister to finger Sligo local authority, telling it to get its act together, with no help from the Department, or it will be abolished, is ridiculous in the extreme. The Minister’s own county council has issues. Donegal and many other local authorities have debt issues. To treat them as independent republics, telling them to sort out their problems without any centralised subvention is ridiculous in the extreme, particularly when the Minister knows there are local authorities in Dublin city, as well as other wealthy ones, which have tens of millions of euro on deposit. Fingal County Council, for example, which has Dublin Airport in one corner, has a rate base higher than Sligo and Leitrim county councils together. Fingal County Council has €100 million on deposit alone. This is fundamentally wrong.

Last week, the Minister travelled to meet officials in Sligo County Council in secret, without consulting any councillor or the cathaoirleach, to deliver the ultimatum to close its second tax office in Teach Laighne in Tubbercurry and lay off another 50 staff, even though 188 staff have been laid off in the past three years. It is a wonder the Government was not trumpeting the setting up of a task force on employment because so many staff have been let go by the local authority. He also told council officials that more commercial rates needed to be collected. The Government wants to shove it all onto struggling small businesses to pay this bill. This is ridiculous in the extreme.

Donegal County Council has five tax offices. Tipperary - the Minister’s county- has five municipal offices. To treat Sligo in this way is disgraceful. Smaller local authorities are providing services for citizens. Just because they are not in Fingal County Council, which is cash rich, does not mean they are not entitled to those services. Picking Sligo as a bad example is the same as Jean-Claude Trichet, the Merkels and our European masters telling Ireland to take the pain of austerity. The people of Sligo should not have to do the same. Will the Minister make the funds available to assist the citizens of Sligo, assistance to which they are as entitled as every other citizen?

Deputy Simon Harris

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who thanks the Senator for providing the opportunity to outline the situation regarding the financial difficulties of Sligo County Council.

The continued deterioration of Sligo County Council's financial position is of serious concern to him, despite the achievement of savings in recent years. On Thursday last, 13 November, the Minister met the chief executive of Sligo County Council and his senior management team to discuss these very issues and had a constructive and useful engagement with them.

The council has been incurring revenue deficits in recent years to the effect that the cumulative deficit now stands at €19.67 million with long-term debt in excess of €120 million. It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to Government policy, locally identified needs and available resources.

The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing. Elected local authority members are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.

The financial difficulties of Sligo County Council have not been caused by the financial model used to fund local authorities. While it is true that general purpose grant funding to Sligo County Council has reduced from a high of €22.22 million in 2008 to €15.58 million in 2013, the reduction, at 29%, has been less than the national average of 35%. Local authorities are independent bodies with their members responsible for budgetary and borrowing policies. Sligo County Council has the same requirements placed on it as all other local authorities in terms of implementing Government policy.

Other factors such as poor income collection have significantly contributed to Sligo's financial difficulties. Commercial rates collection levels for the county and borough in 2012 were at 62%, compared with a national average of 75%. Sligo's collection levels declined even further to 59% in 2013. Sligo County Council has uncollected rates debt of €6.8 million. Its water collection levels have averaged 48% between 2008 and 2012, resulting in an estimated loss of income of in excess of €1 million per year. Collection levels for housing loans are also poor at 47%, showing arrears of €1 million. Housing rent income collection is 80%, which is below the level achieved by comparator local authorities.

While it is a matter for individual local authorities, including Sligo County Council, to manage their day-to­day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, the Department is in regular consultation with the council on its financial position. The Minister has set aside an allocation of €1 million in additional funding for 2014 for the council to assist it to take the steps necessary to move to a more sustainable financial position. The payment of this is fully conditional on a realistic and achievable financial plan which charts a path to long-term financial sustainability being agreed between his Department and the council.

Financial stability must take precedence in all of Sligo County Council's planning in the coming years. It is essential the 2015 budget addresses the gravity of the financial situation in the council, building on the savings achieved to date. The Minister and his Department are committed to continuing to support the council in its efforts to restore financial stability. As the Minister pointed out at his meeting with Sligo County Council, the next steps need to be taken by the council through a firm commitment reflected both in its budget for 2015 and through the agreement of a long-term financial plan with the Department. By ensuring Sligo County Council is supported in making these difficult decisions that will, in the longer term, place it on a more realistic and sustainable path to growth and renewal, the Minister is certain Sligo can put its current difficulties behind it and focus on consolidating its position as a leading economic centre for the north west in the future.

Senator Marc MacSharry

I appreciate the Minister of State was only reading a reply provided for him. It claims the debts have not been caused by the financial model used to fund local authorities. Who wrote this ridiculous statement? It takes no cognisance at all of the points I made regarding the legacy position which has caused much of the local authority's debt. In some way, this reply treats Sligo County Council like some remote charity 40 million miles away for which the Government has no responsibility. What do Senators Susan O’Keeffe, Michael Comiskey and Imelda Henry, as well as Deputies John Perry and Tony McLoughlin, think of this? Do they realise the Department told an entire section of the community to achieve set targets in providing a wastewater treatment infrastructure and acquiring land for the purpose, which Sligo did, outperforming other local authorities in the process, but now tells the council to sing for its support? Is it some remote organisation on the other side of the world for which it has no responsibility? The Government was elected by the people in Sligo and the north west. It is their tax euro paying the Government’s salaries. Accordingly, the Minister has responsibilities and obligations to the people of Sligo to provide for them.

Last night in Sligo, the Taoiseach echoed the call to close a tax office in Tubbercurry and cut library services, as well as lay off a further 50 staff on top of 188 already laid off. This is a complete abdication by the Government of its responsibilities to the people of Sligo. It is a sad day for democracy. I hope the Minister wakes up soon.

Deputy Simon Harris

I thank the Senator who acknowledged that I was responding to the House on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, and outlining his position on this matter.

Sligo County Council has made significant progress in achieving savings. There is also a good spirit of co-operation between the Department and Sligo County Council which was demonstrated by the Minister’s recent meeting with the chief executive and senior management of the council. All local authorities have come under serious financial pressure in the recent years of the economic crisis. If one looks at some of the figures, for example, the general purpose grant funding, while Sligo has seen a decline it has been less than the national average decline. There are figures which I am sure the Senator and all Members of the Oireachtas, as people who have duties to all taxpayers, would like to see higher in terms of income level collection. If there are debts owed to local authorities those debts must be paid. We need to ensure we have structures within our local authorities to ensure these levels of collection are higher.

I will make sure the Senator’s comments and the transcript of this debate are conveyed directly to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The Seanad adjourned at 7.20 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 19 November 2014.