Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Local Government Funding.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

657 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if South Dublin County Council receives the lowest level of funding per head of population from central Government; and, if so, the reason therefor. [20910/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

Central Government funding for local authorities, whether for major capital projects or for general purposes is not calculated on a per capita basis, nor would it be appropriate to do so.

Capital funding is based on projects currently under way and will clearly vary from year to year. For example, funding for South Dublin County Council would have been quite extensive during the active phases of developing the M50 in its area. Funding for general purposes comes predominantly through the local government fund. Allocations from this fund reflect the financial needs of the local authority concerned, not necessarily related to population, and, most importantly, its ability to raise revenue from other sources such as commercial rates and charges for services.

I note that South Dublin County Council's general purpose grant allocation has increased substantially since 1997. The allocation for 2001 represents a 12.5% increase over the funding provided in 2000 and a 48% increase over the initial allocation for 1997.