Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
69. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he oversees the funding he extends to the Local Government Management Agency in order to ensure that the agency is fully complaint with its corporate governance responsibility. [3658/22]
View answerThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, 2016) provides a framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance in both commercial and non-commercial State bodies, including the oversight role of the parent Departments.
With respect to non-commercial State bodies such as the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the Code of Practice mandates, among other matters, that parent Departments have in place oversight and performance delivery agreements with the State bodies under their aegis. Every year, my Department enters into such agreements with the LGMA to reflect:
- the legal framework of the LGMA;
- the environment in which it operates;
- the purpose and responsibilities of the LGMA;
- the LGMA's level of compliance with the Code of Practice;
- the key programmes of activity for the LGMA, including for each individual expenditure programme;
- the key outputs specified in quantiative, measurable terms; and
- arrangements for oversight, monitoring and reporting on conformity with the agreements.
In addition, my Department's Local Government Audit Service audits the annual financial statements of the LGMA as a primary expression of public accountability with respect to the financial performance, position and cash flows of the LGMA.
