I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.
It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
To enhance the financial management and audit control systems in local authorities, an audit committee, with both councillor and expert external membership, is now in place in each county and city council. The functions of an audit committee are to review financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within a local authority, foster the development of best practice in the internal audit function, review auditors’ reports and special reports and assess follow-up action by management, assess and promote efficiency and value for money, review risk management systems and make such recommendations to the authority as the committee considers appropriate in respect of such matters.
While it is a matter for individual local authorities, including Sligo County Council, to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular and ongoing consultation with the Council in relation to its financial position.
The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First , which was published in October 2012, sets out Government policy in terms of a comprehensive range of reforms in relation to local government structures, functions, funding, governance and operational matters. A key objective of the local government reform programme is to address weaknesses in the existing system, including greater financial discretion for local authorities. These issues are being addressed in the reform programme, particularly in the context of the Local Government Bill 2013, which is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil.
Appointments to senior management positions in local authorities are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to the local government sector. The selection and appointment of senior local authority employees, including Directors of Service, is a matter for the Public Appointments Service. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing arrangements in individual local authorities.
I have no plans to amend the Local Government Act 2001 in the manner set out in the question.
