Local Authority Finances

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2015

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Questions (245)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

245. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government given that the Local Government Act now places responsibility for economic development with the relevant local authorities, the way in which Sligo County Council can be expected to promote County Sligo's €100 million tourism product, if it does not have the financial resources to appoint persons to any tourism development positions, which is ultimately leaving the county at a major disadvantage in comparison to other counties, ultimately worsening the financial situation of the council; if he will consider allocating specific funding to the council for the appointment of staff to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/15]

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. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the issue raised in relation to tourism development positions at Sligo County Council is a matter for the Chief Executive.