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Local Government Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2013

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Questions (180, 181)

Brian Stanley

Question:

180. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the €5 - 9 million savings that is maintained will arise from Putting People First with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils under the headings payroll, tendering, procurement, services and other. [24581/13]

View answer

Brian Stanley

Question:

181. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of implementing the merger of Waterford City and County Councils. [24582/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee, which was published in October 2012, estimated savings, primarily payroll related, associated with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils at €3.87m. In addition, the Committee has indicated that further savings, in the range of €1.3m to €5m, can be made in operational and administrative expenses. The amalgamation of authorities will also have implications both for local authority revenue and costs , including some one-off costs associated with the transition to the new arrangements.

As indicated in the Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, the primary purpose of local authority unification is to strengthen the effectiveness of local government in the areas concerned and its capacity to promote their development. The Committee indicated, in addition to the estimated financial savings, that the benefits from a merged authority, particularly with regard to its potential impact on economic and social development, outweigh any transitional costs involved and provide the best long-term option for local government in Waterford.

An Implementation Group, which has been appointed to oversee and guide the reorganisation process in Waterford, is due to produce an Implementation Plan (in accordance with its terms of reference) by end June 2013.

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