Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
320. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how many audits of local authorities have taken place in relation to the spending of State funding and local contributions on the local improvement scheme; the local authorities that were audited, the years audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17203/24]
View answer323. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has queried any returns from any local authorities in the past eight years under the local improvement scheme; if any further examination of drawdown and inspection has taken place; if so, the specific local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17206/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 323 together.
My Department provides funding for the Local Improvement Scheme but each local authority is responsible for administering the scheme in their own areas, in line with the Scheme outline.
In order to draw down allocated funding, each local authority is required to submit documentation including a list of completed works. My Department closely examines the documentation submitted and will only approve payment once all required documentation has been checked and is deemed to be in order. Any queries are returned to each local authority for clarification. Once approved by my officials, payment is then issued.
In order to monitor the scheme and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions, the Scheme is in included in the programme of inspections implemented by my Department.
A local authority may be required to repay some or all of the funding provided if, at inspection, it is identified that a project is deemed ineligible under the scheme. The local authority has the right to appeal any such decision within one month.
The following is a summary of inspections carried out from 2017 - 2021. Inspections of works carried out in 2022 and 2023 are ongoing.
Of the roads repaired under LIS in 2017, a sample of roads was inspected across 6 counties. On foot of this a total amount of €420,638 was identified for recoupment.
Of the roads repaired in 2018, a sample of roads across 6 counties was inspected. On foot of this, a total of €378,430 was identified for recoupment.
Of the roads repaired in 2019, a sample of roads across 11 counties was inspected. On foot of this, a total of €61,218 was identified for recoupment.
Of the roads repaired in 2020, a sample of roads across 10 counties was inspected. On foot of this a total of €74,087 was identified for recoupment.
Of the roads repaired in 2021, a sample of roads across 6 counties was examined. On foot of this, a total of €55,500.65 was identified for recoupment.
The Scheme is also subject to the standard internal and external audit procedures which apply across such publicly funded programmes as part of my Department's overall voted allocation.
My officials maintain ongoing engagement with local authorities to deal with any queries as they arise, in order to support the efficient and effective delivery of the Scheme.
