Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012
311. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consideration he has given to the increased costs of additional council seats in the four Dublin local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55642/12]
View answer312. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will justify his proposal to increase the number of council seats in any of the four Dublin local authorities on grounds other than population ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55643/12]
View answer313. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the increased costs of administering additional members of the four Dublin local authorities on the basis of the terms of reference issued to the Local Election Boundary Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55644/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 312 and 313 together.
I announced the establishment of an independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee on 15 November 2012. An objective in reviewing electoral areas is to achieve a better balance and consistency in representation ratios and, logically, there is a strong case for reducing the degree of representational imbalance currently in the Dublin authorities. The terms of reference for Committee specify, therefore, that the number of members in Dublin City Council shall be fixed at 63 and in every other council, other than Cork County Council, shall be subject to a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 40 members.
In this context, I am conscious that any decrease in the population to member ratio as a result of rebalancing of representation, will have implications for the size of some councils and the associated efficiency and cost. Nonetheless, I am satisfied that the substantial reduction in council seats country wide together with the implementation of changes to structures, functions and funding and the pursuit of operational and organisational efficiency measures, including a revised financial support framework for councillors, will result in a local government system that delivers a wide range of functions and services more efficiently and effectively.
In relation to the cost of additional council seats, the Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First, proposes that the structures for, and levels of, all payments to councillors will be reviewed, while having regard to the reformed sub-county structure and regional governance and the need to ensure sufficient incentive for high-quality representation of the community. Currently it is estimated that payments to councillors in the Dublin local authorities amount to approximately €26,000 per annum.
