I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 gave legislative effect to proposals set out in Putting People First: An Action Programme for Effective Local Government
(2012) for a range of reforms designed to strengthen local government, including its structures, functions, funding, operational arrangements and governance.
The reforms included the establishment of a National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC). Accordingly, NOAC was established by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Part 12A of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended) on 1 July 2014 to oversee the local government sector at a local, regional and national level. To date, NOAC has published 8 reports which are available on its website at http://noac.ie/noac-reports/.
The functions assigned to the Commission by Part 12A include to scrutinise the performance of any local government body against relevant indicators as selected by NOAC or as prescribed in regulations made by the Minister.
The NOAC report on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities 2014 was published by it in December 2015; the position in relation to preparation of the NOAC report in respect of 2015 is a matter for the Commission itself. As regards earlier years, the reports on Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2005 -13 (inclusive) are available on the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) website, http://www.lgcsb.ie/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013.
The NOAC budget for 2016 is €200,000 and the Commission is supported by a secretariat comprising two full-time staff members whose services are made available by my Department. In its work, NOAC is also able to draw on assistance from related organisations such as the Local Government Audit Service, the LGMA and the Housing Agency.