Electoral Commission Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Questions (197)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 18 October 2016, if he will provide a further update as to when the Boundary Review Commission, established to examine the boundary between counties Kilkenny and Waterford, is expected to publish its concluding report in view of the fact that the results of the Roscommon-Westmeath border have been published in recent days and that it is now eight months past the initial deadline for publication of 31 March 2016; the amount of money spent to date or the amount of funding approved by his Department on the process in respect of the Carlow-Kilkenny examination only from establishment in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38557/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The review referred to is one of 4 boundary reviews which were initiated together. The report of the Athlone Boundary Committee was submitted on 10 November and subsequently published. The chairpersons of the committees which are reviewing the boundaries at Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford have indicated that these reports will be submitted in the coming weeks. I will be considering all the reports carefully and I intend to address them as part of the overall report on local government matters which I will be submitting to Government and the Oireachtas in 2017 under the Programme for a Partnership Government.

Support services for all four reviews are being provided and funded collectively. The overall estimated cost is some €87,500 , of which some €41,316 has been paid to date.

As the committees are independent in the performance of their functions, it is not appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.

Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 194.