Local Authority Funding.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2006

Wednesday, 8 March 2006

Questions (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

30 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in accordance with the recommendations of the Indecon report released by his office on 1 March 2006, he intends to move the focus of local government funding away from central government and towards local sources, in effect imposing a system of local taxation on private citizens and industry; if so, his views on the implications of flat taxes on lower income households considering that such charges do not take cognisance of the ability to pay as PAYE does; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9523/06]

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

64 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the predicted local authority funding shortfall identified by the Indecon report. [9524/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

70 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his position in respect of recommendations contained in the Indecon report on local government financing, published on 1 March 2006. [9436/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

71 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reforms he will be introducing in respect of local government funding following the publication of Indecon report on local government financing, published on 1 March 2006. [9433/06]

Seán Crowe

Question:

83 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendations contained in the Indecon report on local government financing, published on 1 March 2006, which he intends to implement. [9437/06]

Shane McEntee

Question:

87 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the latest report on local government finance from Indecon Consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/06]

Shane McEntee

Question:

94 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to increase funding of local authorities in view of the recent Indecon report on local government finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9514/06]

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

96 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the connection made in the Indecon report between local authority accountability and locally raised funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9525/06]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

208 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to introduce, either fully or partially, the recommendations of the Indecon report on local government funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9919/06]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 64, 70, 71, 83, 87, 94, 96 and 208 together.

I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 4 on today's Order Paper. While I will be pursuing a number of initiatives in line with recommendations made in the Indecon report on local government financing, I do not intend to implement the recommendations regarding the introduction of domestic water charges and new taxes on non-principal private residences which would run counter to current Government policy.