I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 508 together.
Income available to local authorities through the local government fund rose from €797 million in 1999 to €1.29 billion in 2005. I am satisfied that the funding I will make available to local authorities, including Donegal County Council, for 2006 through general purpose grants from the fund will make a significant contribution to meeting their increased costs in 2006 and enable them to provide a reasonable level of services while avoiding the need for any undue increases in commercial rates, fees and other charges. Buoyancy in the fund overall since 1999 has ensured that general purpose grants increased by more than double the level of increase in the annual rate on valuation and more than three times the cumulative rate of inflation. I intend to notify local authorities of their general purpose allocations for 2006 shortly.