Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:833. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the savings achieved when acting up arrangements are ceased within his Department. [35300/13]
View answerDepartmental Expenditure
Questions (833)
Written answers
To ensure the efficient discharge of the business needs of my Department, four officials are in receipt of acting up allowances for the performance of higher duties. I am satisfied no significant savings would be achieved by the cessation of the very limited acting up arrangements currently in place.
Fire Stations Provision
Questions (834)
Paudie Coffey
Question:834. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 837 of 16 April 2013, if this project is still envisaged to start in quarter 3 of 2013; the total amount of funding that is in place in order for this project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35344/13]
View answerWritten answers
Proposals for a new fire station for Waterford City were approved in principle under the 2006 fire service capital programme and my Department approved Waterford City Council to progress the project to final design stage in 2010. I understand that the tender process for the fire station is at evaluation stage by Waterford City Council and the construction work is on target to commence during quarter three of 2013. Funding of €2 million has been allocated from the Fire Services 2013 capital budget significantly to progress the building of this resource. Further funding will be required from my Department’s fire capital budget in the coming years to complete the construction of Waterford City’s new fire station.
Question No. 835 answered with Question No. 58.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (836)
Kevin Humphreys
Question:836. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been an analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions from Ireland's three peat burning power stations and how this contributes to carbon emissions; what those emissions are on an annual basis from 2007 to date per station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35389/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have no function in regard to the operation of the energy facilities in question. Overall responsibility for the energy sector rests with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, while the Environmental Protection Agency compiles Ireland’s annual greenhouse gas emissions inventories and projections.
Public Procurement Contracts Tenders
Questions (837)
Clare Daly
Question:837. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 9 July 2013, if the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' pounds have been tendered in line with public procurement procedure or if a framework agreement is in place, in view of the fact that pounds run by the ISPCA cost over €1.1 million to operate each year. [35405/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 and 1992, place statutory responsibility for dog control on local authorities. The tendering process referred to is a matter for each local authority.
Local Authority Funding
Questions (838)
Derek Nolan
Question:838. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide by local authority the expected annual increase and-or decrease in revenue when local authorities replace the local government fund contribution with the new local property tax; if he will include the amount of revenue for both the LGF and the LPT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35444/13]
View answerWritten answers
The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014 the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In addition, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector will have a considerable impact on local authority financing.
The Government has indicated an intention to move, from 2014, to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the tax is raised. The remaining 20% of the tax collected nationally will be redistributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants. The approach used to allocate the 20% of Local Property Tax revenue available for equalisation will depend on factors such as overall yield and yields at individual local authority level. The priority will be to support those local authorities with weaker funding bases.
The details concerning Local Property Tax and Local Government Fund revenue for local authorities will be decided in the context of Budget 2014.
I expect the Local Property Tax to have multiple benefits, including a more sustainable and resilient system of funding for local authorities and therefore a sounder financial footing for the provision of essential local services; greater local scope for financial decision-making concerning service provision in particular, the inclusion of the local variation mechanism from 2015 will further increase the autonomy of local authorities; and a strengthening of democracy at local level with a more active relationship between local authorities and local electorates. A stronger democratic relationship and clearer lines of accountability can only have a beneficial impact on service provision from the perspective of the service user.
An important purpose of the changes to the funding of the local authorities is to place the local government sector on a more sustainable financial footing. The concept of financial sustainability should not solely be considered in terms of national recovery from our current economic circumstances over the short to medium term; longer-term viability and the connection with the citizen are also important elements. I am satisfied that the changes which are currently under way will deliver a model of funding which is sustainable in the broadest sense.
Public Private Partnerships Data
Questions (839, 840, 841)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:839. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of public private partnership projects that have proceeded under traditional procurement methods and the cost of each project. [35454/13]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:840. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of public private partnership water infrastructure project private investors and the project in which they invested. [35455/13]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:841. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the experience to date of the design, build and operate model advantages of public private partnerships referred to on page 85 of the report on the value for money review of the water services investment programme 2007 to 2009. [35458/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 839 to 841, inclusive, together.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a well established procurement option in the water services sector but is only considered where it is clearly established that it provides best value for money. Local authorities are required to examine all potential options in an even-handed manner before determining an appropriate procurement option.
The overriding consideration is that all projects must deliver value for money and to this end each potential project is subjected to a Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) report. This report consists of a comprehensive risk adjusted costing of the project elements over the whole life of the project on the basis of conventional procurement and enables a comparison to be made on a like for like basis between traditional and PPP procurement to ensure that the best value for money procurement option is chosen.
A project is not categorised as a PPP project until the PSB report is completed and a decision is made on the procurement route. Therefore there are no Public Private Partnership projects which have proceeded under traditional procurement methods.
The following table lists all the water services PPP projects with a value in excess of €20 million and includes details of the PSB findings and the contractor engaged to carry out the project. The PSB exercise shows on average a 10% to 20% reduction in capital cost and a 5% to 10% reduction in O&M cost as compared to pre-tender estimated costs for a traditional procurement exercise.
Contractors are engaged to design, build and operate the plants and are not considered to be financial investors.
|
Local Authority |
Scheme name |
Description |
Cost comparison/PSB report |
Contractor |
|
Fingal |
Balbriggan / Skerries Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involved the construction, operation and maintenance of a sewage treatment plant with an initial capacity to serve a population of 30,000. There is potential to expand the capacity of the plant to serve a population of up to 100,000, if required. The plant became operational in September 2006. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost 12% less than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO Whole Life Cost (WLC) is not available. |
Earthtech Ireland Ltd |
|
Kildare |
Barrow Abstraction – Srowland Water Treatment Plant |
This project involves the design and building of a water treatment plant followed by a 20 year operation and maintenance period. The contract commenced construction stage in 2011. The plant is intended to provide 31 million litres of drinking water per day. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 20.4% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 21.3% less than PSB WLC. |
Veolia Water Ireland |
|
Mayo |
Castlebar Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a treatment plant with a capacity to serve a population of 35,000. The plant is now fully operational. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 22% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 23% less than PSB WLC. |
Veolia Water Ireland |
|
Limerick City |
Clareville Water Treatment Plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant to cater for the needs of Limerick city and its environs. The plant, which was officially opened in June 2010, has the capacity to treat around 100,000 cubic metres of water a day. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 13% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 12% less than PSB WLC. |
Veolia Water/Ascon Consortium |
|
Cork City |
Cork Wastewater Treatment plant (Cork MD -Carrigrennan) |
Construction of the treatment plant, with the capacity to serve a population of 413,000, was completed in September 2004. The plant is now in operation. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 - PSB. DBO WLC was virtually equal to pre-tender estimated WLC without retained risks being costed in the latter |
Degermont Consortium |
|
Donegal |
Donegal (Group A) Wastewater Treatment plants |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of three sewage treatment plants (in Donegal Town, Ballyshannon and Rossnowlagh). The combined capacity of the plants is designed to serve the needs of a population totalling 22,000. The plants became operational in June 2008. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 10.6% less than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available |
Veolia led consortium |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ringsend) |
Construction of the treatment plant, designed to serve a population of 1.64 million, was completed in June 2003. While the plant became operational, there were persistent odour problems which ABA, the private sector partner, had to address. Because of a conflict between the odour standards prescribed in the Environmental Impact Statement and the contract documents for the plant, the responsibility for solving the issue did not rest solely with the ABA consortium and the cost of rectifying the problem was borne by both the contractor and Dublin City Council. Odour control equipment now installed has eliminated odour nuisance in the locality. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 - PSB.Tender cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 15% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC 18.8% less than the pre-tender estimate. |
ABA consortium |
|
Waterford County |
Dungarvan treatment plant |
Construction of the treatment plant, with the capacity to serve a population of 35,000, was completed in July 2007. The plant is now in operation. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 4.7% less than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available. |
ABV consortium |
|
Donegal |
Letterkenny Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the design and building of a wastewater treatment plant followed by a 20 year operation and maintenance period. The contract commenced construction stage in 2011 and became operational in 2012. The plant is intended to cater for a population equivalent of 40,000 and a sludge treatment centre to treat up to 2,500 tonnes dry solids per annum. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 6.5% higher than the PSB. - DBO WLC is 3.5% less than PSB WLC. |
Response Engineering/Severn |
|
Meath |
Meath Villages Wastewater Treatment plant group |
This project involves the provision, operation and maintenance of treatment plants for seven villages in County Meath. The combined capacity of the plants will serve the needs of a population of 5,000. All eight plants are now operational. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 6% more than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available. |
EPS consortium |
|
Westmeath |
Mullingar Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a treatment plant with an initial capacity to serve a population of 30,000, increasing within three years to a capacity sufficient for a population of 55,000. The plant became operational in 2011. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 1.5% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 2.3% less than PSB WLC. |
Veolia Water Ireland |
|
Laois |
Portlaoise Wastewater Treatment Plant |
Construction of the treatment plant, which has the capacity to serve a population of 39,000, was completed in March 2009. The plant is now in operation. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 3% less than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available. |
Earthtech/Bowen Construction consortium |
|
Fingal |
Portrane/ Donabate/ Rush/Lusk Wastewater Treatment plant group |
A design, build and operate PPP is being used to provide an updated and expanded main drainage system in North County Dublin, including a single waste water treatment plant at Portrane. It will cater for a population equivalent of 65,000 and have a two-year construction phase followed by a 20 year operation and maintenance period. The plant commenced construction in March 2010. The plant became fully operational in May 2012. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 17% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 46.7% less than PSB WLC. |
Aecom Design Build Ireland (formerly Earthtech Irl.) and Siac Construction Ltd |
|
Dún Laoghaire |
Shanganagh Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance a of a treatment plant with a capacity to serve a population of 103,000. The plant became operational in 2012. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO Capital cost is 7.7% higher than the PSB. - DBO WLC is 13.3% less than PSB. |
Consortium involving Sisk, Dragados and Drace |
|
Sligo |
Sligo treatment plant |
Construction of the treatment plant, with the capacity to serve a population of 47,000, was completed in October 2008. The plant is now in operation |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate:- DBO captial cost is 20% less than traditional procurement. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available. |
Anglian Water International |
|
South Tipp |
South Tipperary treatment plant group |
This project involved the upgrading of seven existing sewage treatment plants and the construction of five new ones. The combined capacity of the plants serves the needs of a population of up to 123,100. The plants became operational in 2007. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 25% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 9.4% less than the pre-tender estimate. |
Earthtech Ireland Ltd |
|
Offaly |
Tullamore Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the design and building of a waste water treatment plant over a two-year construction period followed by a 20 year operation and maintenance period. The plant is intended to cater for a population equivalent of 45,000. The plant became operational in May 2012. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 8.7% higher than the PSB. - DBO WLC is 8.1% less than PSB WLC. |
EPS/Siac Construction Ltd |
|
Waterford City |
Waterford City MD Wastewater Treatment plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a treatment plant with the capacity to serve a population of 100,000. This plant is now fully operational. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 – PSB. Tender Cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 9.7% less than traditional procurement. - DBO WLC is 19.3% less than the pre-tender estimated WLC. |
Anglian Water International |
|
Wexford |
Wexford Wastewater Treatment plant |
Construction of the treatment plant, which has the capacity to serve a population of 30,000, was completed in September 2004. The plant is now in operation. |
Pre-dates Departmental Circular L5/06 - PSB. Tender cost comparison with pre-tender estimate: - DBO capital cost is 6% more than the pre-tender estimate but the latter does not include for risk transferred to the DBO contractor. - A pre-tender estimate for the DBO WLC is not available. |
Brent Consortium |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow treatment plant |
This project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a treatment plant with a capacity to serve a population of 34,000. The plant is now operational. |
PSB in accordance with Departmental Circular L5/06 completed. - DBO capital cost is 37% less than PSB. - DBO WLC is 30% less than PSB WLC. |
Veolia Water Ireland Ltd |
Commercial Rates Valuation Process
Questions (842)
Brendan Griffin
Question:842. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is considering reviewing the way local authorities levy commercial rates on small and medium-sized enterprises; if he will be open to proposals on a fairer way of doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35473/13]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the most appropriate method of valuation. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
It is important to acknowledge that commercial rates, as a local tax, and the rating system generally are deeply embedded in the local government system. A large body of case law is well established and local authorities and ratepayers are, in the main, very familiar with, and generally accepting of, the operation and practice of the rating system. Rates are also a stable source of financing for local government which is not affected unduly by short-term changes in economic circumstances.
I am acutely aware of the pressures on small and medium-sized businesses at the present time. Local authorities have been asked by my Department to exercise restraint or, where possible, to reduce commercial rates and local charges for 2013. Local authorities have responded well to such requests in recent years and in 2013, 87 out of the 88 rating authorities have either reduced their ARV or kept it the same as in 2012.
I have no immediate plans to amend the legislation governing commercial rates. I am, however, keeping the approach to rates by local authorities under active review, and am determined that every avenue will be pursued to optimise efficiency and contain costs in the local government sector.
Commercial Rates Issues
Questions (843)
Brendan Griffin
Question:843. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he envisages difficulties for businesses when local town councils are abolished in 2014 and where the application of the new local authority rate would result in an increase in their commercial rates bill; his proposals on how to avoid such a scenario; if so, if he will move to remove any uncertainty for businesses that are already struggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35474/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First indicates that, in the context of reorganisation of local governance structures, the proposed new municipal districts will provide an opportunity to achieve a more coherent approach to rates and charges on a countywide basis, having regard to funding requirements and the need to support employment and business competitiveness.
The Action Programme proposes rates harmonisation to cater for differences between Annual Rates on Valuation (ARVs) of towns and counties. My approach will seek to ensure that rates harmonisation does not lead to significant net loss of revenue in individual counties with consequential implications for services and that any change in rates does not impact negatively on businesses and employment. It is important that local government reform drives down costs to business in order to protect existing jobs and sustain our economic competitiveness.
Definitive details, arrangements and procedures in relation to the funding of district level functions, and financial relationships between district and county levels, will be developed in the context of the new local government funding arrangements generally, implementation of the new sub-county system and preparation of the legislation in relation to the reform programme.
Question No. 844 answered with Question No. 743.
Illegal Dumping
Questions (845)
Brendan Griffin
Question:845. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned about the amount of used nappies that are being illegally dumped around the country, largely due to the weight of nappies after use and the subsequent cost that they add to household waste disposal bills; if he will engage with local authorities and the industry to try to find ways of preventing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35485/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the problems caused by illegal dumping, irrespective of the nature of the material being dumped. Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law, rather than of product design. While enforcement action in this area is a matter in the first instance for local authorities, my Department has taken a number of actions to address the issue.
In 2012, I introduced a once-off Litter Enforcement Grants Scheme, targeted specifically at the issue of fly tipping and small-scale illegal dumping, encouraging local authorities to enhance their existing enforcement activities, through measures such as the purchase of CCTV equipment to allow for the effective monitoring of known litter black spots. I also launched, again in 2012, a national campaign in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency and supported by the print media, to highlight the economic value of our environment and encouraging the public to report all incidences of illegal dumping to the Agency’s National Environmental Complaints hotline at 1850 365 121.
Existing penalties available under the Litter Pollution Acts for litter offences range from an on-the-spot fine of €150, to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction, and a maximum fine of €130,000 on conviction on indictment. The maximum fines for continuing offences are €600 per day for summary offences and €10,000 per day for indictable offences. A person convicted of a litter offence may also be required by the court to pay the local authority’s costs and expenses in investigating the offence and bringing the prosecution.
Penalties for more serious dumping offences provided for under the Waste Management Acts are also substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and-or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Following a review of legislation in this area and notwithstanding the significant penalties currently in place, my Department is preparing legislative proposals that would provide for the introduction of a specific on-the-spot fine for incidences of fly-tipping or small-scale illegal dumping. I expect to be in a position to submit proposed Heads of a Bill in this regard to Government for approval shortly.
Enforcement action in relation to illegal dumping is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned and also the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), which supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities. My Department provides funding to support the activities of a network of local authority environmental enforcement officers and the OEE. Each local authority sets out an annual programme of action, detailing its planned enforcement action in relation to activities such as illegal dumping, towards which this funding will be utilised.
Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Collection
Questions (846)
Jerry Buttimer
Question:846. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has to pay the non-principal private residence charge when they only have one house in their name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35519/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties.
A residential property not in use by an owner as his or her sole or main residence is liable for the vharge.
Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge and late payment fees due to it, and all charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned. In this regard, application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. Guidelines have issued to local authorities in relation to the operation of the provisions of the 2009 Act; local authorities are expected to implement these guidelines appropriately.
Rental Accommodation Scheme Administration
Questions (847)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:847. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the Government's reliance in part on the rental accommodation scheme and long term leasing arrangements to meet existing social housing demand, if he has investigated the long term implications for housing authorities and approved bodies where leases end and tenants must be rehoused if his Department is satisfied that at current rent levels sufficient funding may be generated to ensure that all properties leased may be bought up to standard on completion of the lease; if actuarial expertise has been used by his Department as part of the assessment process for these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/13]
View answerWritten answers
My priority is to maximise delivery of social housing to cater for the greatest level of need at good value. It is simply not possible to purchase or build anything like the same number of units as can be provided for through the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Social the Leasing Initiative. Leasing offers an effective and efficient response, taking account not just of the availability of resources but also current market conditions and the need for a broader range of more flexible delivery mechanisms than the traditional methods of social housing provision.
Approved housing bodies and local authorities retain the tenant’s rent contribution to cover the cost of their management and maintenance responsibilities in respect of leased dwellings. In addition my Department has agreed to fund up to 50% of the cost of reinstatement under a lease agreement in returning a property in the same condition as at the commencement of the lease, less fair wear and tear. I am satisfied that this level of funding is sufficient and reasonable to cover these risks.
My Department commissioned the Housing Agency to undertake a financial appraisal of the long-term costs of leasing in comparison with other social housing delivery options. A copy of this report, entitled Comparative Financial Appraisal of the Projected Long-Term Costs of Social Housing Delivery Mechanisms is available on the Housing Agency’s website at www.housing.ie.
Local Authorities Management
Questions (848)
Catherine Murphy
Question:848. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements currently in place for the storage, access and maintenance of extensive local government records; the arrangements to be put in place for those town councils which are due to be abolished in respect of same; the overall annual cost for such storage specifically for this sector; if an evaluation has been made of such costs and if a regional-national storage system might reduce such costs; if there are implications for data security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35536/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department recognises the valuable local resource that archives represent and the importance of their proper management. Under section 80 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for local authorities, in the first instance, to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for the proper management, custody, care and conservation of local records and archives.
Local Authority Banking Issues
Questions (849, 850)
Catherine Murphy
Question:849. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements to be put in place for Town Councils who have funds in a bank account such as Leixlip Town Council; if such funds can be spent prior to their abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35539/13]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:850. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an assessment has been made of the bank balances of town councils due to be abolished; if so, which ones will have positive balances and what those amounts are in respect of each local authority area; the town councils that are in deficit; what those amounts are; the way it is intended to wind up their accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35540/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 850 together.
As you are aware, the Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First sets out Government decisions for a range of local government reform measures, including the decision to replace town councils with a new comprehensive model of municipal governance to strengthen local government within counties and address weaknesses and anomalies in the current system.
While an assessment on the bank balances of town councils has not been undertaken, the level of balance on hand for normal operational purposes is dependent on the relative timing of income receipts from their various revenue sources and expenditure in respect of their current and capital programmes. Definitive details, arrangements and procedures in relation to the financial relationships between district and county levels will be developed in the context of the new local government funding arrangements generally, the implementation of the new sub-county system and the preparation of the legislation in relation to the reform programme.
In February 2009, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to their overall management of capital and current accounts. These requirements flow directly from the requirement for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact, established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the associated limitation on budget deficits. The local government sector must not impact negatively on the General Government Balance (GGB) in any one year. The downturn in the economy and substantial pressures on Government funding generally require a sharp focus in all sectors, including local government, to ensure effective control and management of the public finances. In order to stay within the overall GGB limit, it is necessary for local authorities to maintain both their current and capital accounts broadly in balance. The only restriction on local authorities is that, in aggregate, capital income equals capital expenditure in the year. Balance is only required at an overall level and this allows considerable scope for authorities to draw on their existing capital reserves as an element of their overall investment programme. The precise manner in which capital and current accounts are managed in order to achieve the overall balance necessary is a matter for individual local authorities.
It is a matter for every local authority, including town councils, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources within the GGB limits as set out.
Question No. 851 answered with Question No. 766.
Official Travel
Questions (852)
Derek Nolan
Question:852. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure a robust business is case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agencies ensure the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36044/13]
View answerWritten answers
Agencies under my Department’s aegis have been made aware of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and any associated expenses.
The day-to-day operations of State agencies are, in the first instance, a matter for the management and board of each agency. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies, which my Department has issued to all agencies under its aegis, provides that responsibility for ensuring that management operates effective and efficient internal controls rests with the board of directors or a committee of similar status. The code requires each State body to produce, as part of its annual reporting and accounts, a statement on the internal financial control which operates within the body. The statement is signed by the Chairperson and subject to audit review.
A detailed breakdown of expenditure by each agency is contained in their respective annual reports, the latest versions of which are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.