Local Authority Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (408)

Clare Daly

Question:

408. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the most recent local government auditor's report indicates that the overall debt of Sligo County Council has increased from €85 million to €94 million; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the auditor has again expressed concern in respect of the financial performance and standing of the council and its increasing level of debt; if it has been brought to his attention that the elected members of Sligo County Council, at a meeting on 2 December 2013, unanimously adopted the following motion: "Having considered the contents of the Local Government Auditors Report for the year ending 31 December, 2012 and recognising the financial crisis the council finds itself in, the elected members of Sligo County Council hereby resolve (a) to request the Minister for the Environment to meet as a matter of urgency with an all party delegation of councillors to discuss the critical financial position of the Council; (b) to request the Minister and his Department to provide necessary advice and assistance to the Council"; if he intends to meet with the all party delegation in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54164/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

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.