Written Answers Nos. 721-741
721. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual saving to the Exchequer if a pay cap of €100,000 was in place for the 226.65 City and County Managers, Assistant Managers and Directors of Service within local authorities in receipt of annual basic salaries in excess of €100,000. [48352/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation regarding potential cost savings which could arise if the salaries in question were reduced is not available in my Department.
724. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) who is not liable to pay the household property charge but who nonetheless paid the charge can obtain a refund of the charge they paid in error; the reason it is taking so long for him to obtain the refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48396/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI see no reason why a person who is not liable for the Household Charge and who has paid in error should not obtain a refund. Queries in relation to operational issues, such as the time taken to process a valid refund, should be directed to the Household Charge Bureau or to the local authority in question.
725. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed the grants for group water/ waste water group schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48403/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of grant available for Group Sewerage Schemes is €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me on rural water policy, proposed that the rate of grant be reviewed during 2012. As a result of a review carried out by my Department, I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on an increased grant level. My Department will ask local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable if an increased grant was available. The selection of the pilot schemes and related funding arrangements will be completed as soon as possible after proposals have been received from local authorities in 2013. I have no plans to increase the existing grant for group water schemes.
726. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of regeneration funding provided in the current year for the replacement of windows and doors and remedial works on local authority houses in an area (details supplied) in County Sligo; if any proposal has been made by Sligo Borough Council to use Regeneration funding for similar remedial works on private houses in the estate and if private households in the estate will be offered the opportunity to avail of a 50/50 scheme where certain approved remedial/refurbishment works are 50% funded from regeneration funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48443/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects such as Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate regeneration projects in a number of regional towns around the country. Funding of €90 million has been set aside to support the National Regeneration Programme in 2012. Of that €3 million has been allocated to Sligo Borough Council in respect of its regeneration project.
In advance of the completion of the masterplan for the regeneration of the Eastern Quadrant of Sligo, my Department is supporting a number of “early win ” projects put forward by Sligo Borough Council, including a window and doors replacement programme costing €121,564, a refurbishment programme for vacant houses costing €272,230 and an energy efficiency programme costing €144,840.
There are no proposals with my Department for refurbishment works on private houses. It will be a matter for the master planning process to set out a vision for the regeneration of the Eastern Quadrant and the implementation strategies to be put in place to deliver regeneration locally.
727. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on efforts being made to retain the vital Estate Management Projects in Fettercairn and Killinarden, Dublin 24 and if he will outline contacts which have been made in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48511/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe projects concerned operated as mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department’s housing programme. Following significant reductions in the funding available to support these projects in 2012 my Department, exceptionally, provided pro rata funding to support the projects until end June 2012.
Following a consultation process, South Dublin County Council identified interim funding to maintain the projects during the second half of 2012. The funding was identified on a partnership basis between the Council and the Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force. The Council has advised that this funding represents a once-off contribution and will allow the projects to continue while the report of my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, on the review of the structures that underpin the strategy at local, regional and national level is finalised. It is understood that this report , which is expected shortly, will consider how current funding structures can be improved or streamlined, particularly with regard to local and regional drugs task forces.
The provision of funding by South Dublin County Council to end 2012 has also allowed the projects additional time to explore alternative funding mechanisms and to identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the projects beyond 2012, including through alternative service delivery models.
728. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48544/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra729. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 24 October 2012, the number of staff who have been working on north south cooperation issues in each year since 2007; and the number currently working in this area. [48554/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 together.
My Department and I are directly involved in ongoing and frequent North South engagement up to a very high level. This involves regular contact with the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the North South Joint Secretariat based in Armagh. This work is undertaken in the context of actively pursuing our priorities for advancing co-operation through the North South Ministerial Council in Environment and Agriculture formations, most recently at the meetings held on 31 October 2012.
Current priorities include:
- Co-ordinated implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive including preparation of River Basin Management Plans and programmes of measures for the protection and improvement of water quality. This work is brought forward by the North South Working Group on Water Quality.
- Sharing of information on waste policy development in each jurisdiction.
- Arrangements for the repatriation of waste which originated in this State but which was illegally disposed of in Northern Ireland.
- Joint approaches to environmental research and monitoring involving my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
- Co-operation on measures to examine the potential for the development of all-island markets for recyclable materials. A programme of work in this area is guided by the North South Market Development Steering Group with assistance from the Department’s Market Development Programme.
- Carrying out the Department’s role as Accountable Department under the PEACE 111 and Interreg IVA Programmes.
Engagement on the foregoing issues involves many officials in my Department at Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Executive Officer and Clerical Officer levels spread across a number of business units. The degree of engagement by each individual or grade is determined by the frequency of Council meetings and the requirement to pursue our objectives through meetings of a number of North South working groups and committees.
The Department operates within the staffing levels set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform through the implementation of the Employment Control Framework and the moratorium on filling of vacancies by recruitment or promotion. Nevertheless, I am satisfied that the business units concerned are adequately staffed to discharge their North South and other responsibilities.
730. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of qualified housing applicants in each local authority for social housing; the total number of housing applicants; the measures he will take to address the housing crisis here; when the National Assets Management Agency properties will be released to local authorities; the format that this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48558/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra760. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he proposes to take to address the housing situation in County Kerry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are almost 5,000 qualified housing applicants between the three town councils and Kerry County Council; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department has informed Kerry County Council that they will only receive funding to construct three local authority houses over the next three years; when the National Assets Management Agency properties will be released to local authorities; the format this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48732/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra761. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions and negotiations he has had with the National Management Agency regarding the release of National Assets Management Agency properties for social housing; when Kerry County Council and the three town councils will be informed of their allocation as there is now a housing crisis in the county with almost 5,000 qualified housing applicants on the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48733/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 730, 760 and 761 together.
My Department does not hold information on the number of households on local authorities’ waiting lists. This figure continuously fluctuates as households are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. Detailed information on the latest statutory assessment of housing need, carried out in March 2011 and including a breakdown by housing authority, is available on my Department’s website – www.environ.ie or on the Housing Agency’s website at www.housing.ie. My Department intends to carry a full Housing Needs Assessment in 2013, and will publish the results as soon as possible thereafter. In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support.
Delivery of social housing has been significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government’s objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
The Department recently advised Kerry County Council that funding will be provided for the construction of three single instance rural dwellings over the period 2012 to 2014. Capital allocations to Kerry County Council under the range of measures under the social housing investment programme in 2013 will be considered in the context of the budgetary provision for housing for 2013.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos 53 of 23 October and 440 of 16 of October respectively, for the most up to date information in relation to the delivery of NAMA units generally and in relation to units in Kerry in particular.
731. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the historic landfills working group was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issue; the action taken and a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48572/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Historical Landfills Working Group was established in September 2011. The Working Group provides a platform to share experience and to assist local authorities to standardise the certification of old unlicensed legacy municipal landfills, in accordance with the Waste Management (Certification of Historical Unlicensed Waste Disposal and Recovery Activity) Regulations 2008. Given its role, as primarily, an informal and experience sharing vehicle, the Working Group has not prepared formal reports/conclusions.
The Working Group is currently chaired by my Department and membership is open to each of the local authorities. Four meetings have taken place, beginning in September 2011. The meetings have in some cases included site visits, to facilitate training for local authority personnel. The most recent meeting, which took place on 24 October 2012, focussed on a Road Map for certification of sites, and the development of an on-line system to facilitate applications for such certification. I would envisage the Working Group continuing to operate in support of local authorities carrying out the certification process.
732. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the joint working group of the transfer of rent supplement from the Department of Social Protection to his Department was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issue; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48573/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government included a commitment to review the operation of the Rent Supplement Scheme in order to achieve better value for money and to address concerns about the increase in households who have been receiving rent supplement in the longer term. A Steering Group was established in May 2011 to undertake this review and progress proposals as to the future operation of the Scheme.
The Steering Group is comprised of officials from my Department, the Departments of Social Protection and Public Expenditure and Reform, the City and County Managers Association, the Housing Agency and the Revenue Commissioners. My Department normally chairs the Steering Group. Since its establishment the Steering Group has met on 14 occasions and has reported four times to Government in relation to progress in developing the proposal.
In March 2012, the Government approved in principle a joint proposal by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Social Protection to transfer responsibility for recipients of rent supplement with an established long-term housing need from the Department of Social Protection to local (housing) authorities through the establishment of a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). To implement this decision both Ministers will be bringing forward legislation over the coming months to enable the new arrangements to be put in place.
733. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the local authority mortgage arrears guidance group was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48574/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mortgage arrears guidance group was convened in early 2010 and is made up of representatives of the local authority sector and my Department. It is chaired by my Department. The group’s remit is to examine trends in local authority mortgage arrears and to devise appropriate responses. To date it has convened on five occasions and as a result of its work revised mortgage arrears guidance issued to local authorities earlier this year. This guidance is closely based on the Central Bank’s most recent code of practice on mortgage arrears which came into effect from 1 January 2011. As a result of the guidance developed by the group, all local authorities are now implementing a revised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). The group continues to work to ensure the smooth roll-out of the guidance and the options set out therein for borrowers.
734. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Waterford local Government committee group was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48575/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra743. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the Limerick reorganisation implementation group was established; the person who is chairman of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48585/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra744. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the Tipperary reorganisation implementation group was established; the person who is chairman of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48586/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 734, 743 and 744 together.
The Waterford Local Government Committee was established on 23 September 2011. Full details in relation to its work , including the matters raised in the question, are contained in The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee which was submitted in March 2012. The Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group was established on 26 July 2011 and has submitted two reports to date, an Initial Report in February 2012 and a Progress Report in July 2012. The Group’s Implementation Plan in respect of local government reorganisation in Limerick is expected to be submitted in the near future. The Tipperary Reorganisation Implementation Group was established on 23 September 2011 and submitted a Progress Report in November 2011 and Implementation Plan in June 2012 . While information regarding the number of meetings held by both Groups is not available in the Department, details in relation to the other matters raised in the questions are set out in the aforementioned reports. Arrangements for local authority unification in both cases will proceed in line with Implementation Plans. Copies of the publications referred to are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie .
735. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the steering group to oversee reform of the water sector was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48576/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe steering group referred to in the Question was established in June 2011 to oversee the independent assessment on the transfer of responsibility for water provision from local authorities to a water utility which was required under the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland with the EU/IMF/ECB. The group , which is chaired by my Department (Mr Mark Griffin, Assistant Secretary), has met on four occasions to date.
As well as my own Department, membership is drawn from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, NewERA and the County and City Managers’ Association. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the consultants appointed to undertake the independent assessment, also attended meetings of the group.
The group oversaw the preparation of the independent assessment and, based on the recommendations of that assessment, the Government decided in December 2011 to establish Irish Water as a public water utility. Following the Government decision in April 2012 that Irish Water should be established as an independent subsidiary of Bord Gáis Eireann, membership of the group was extended to include a representative of Bord Gáis. During the course of this year, the group’s main focus has been on the development of an implementation strategy to give effect to Government decisions in relation to the water reform programme. This has included consideration of the appropriate programme governance arrangements for the implementation phase.
736. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the waste management planing national coordination committee was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48577/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011, which transposed the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) into Irish law, there is a requirement to evaluate existing waste management plans by 31 December 2012 and, consequent to such an evaluation, to revise plans as appropriate.
The Waste Framework Directive requires waste management plans to set out “an analysis of the current waste management situation in the geographical entity concerned, as well as the measures to be taken to improve environmentally sound preparing for re-use, recycling, recovery and disposal of waste and an evaluation of how the plan will support the implementation of the objectives and provisions of the Directive”. Under Regulation 8 of the transposing Regulations, which amends section 22 of the Waste Management Act 1996, all waste management plans must:
- Lay down measures to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste and by reducing overall impacts of resource use and improving the efficiency of such use;
- Be in accordance with the waste hierarchy set out in section 21A of the 1996 Act;
- Meet the protection of human health and the environment obligations set out in section 32(1) of the 1996 Act; and
- Meet the principles of self-sufficiency and proximity set out in section 37A of the 1996 Act.
The evaluation and subsequent revision of waste management plans will require Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and will also have regard to the requirements of Appropriate Assessment (AA) under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
My Department established a National Coordination Committee in October 2011 as an appropriate support mechanism for the evaluation process, including in relation to scoping SEA and AA requirements, so as to provide a framework or template to guide the evaluation and, where appropriate, revision of waste management plans. Seven meetings of the Committee have been held to date and a number of working documents have been produced including in relation to technical support, waste legislation and waste data. The membership of the Committee, chaired by my Department (Mr. Eoin Deegan, Administrative Officer), comprises representatives of my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the ten waste management regions.
737. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the foreshore advisory group was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48578/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreshore Advisory Group is a cross departmental/agency working group which was established by my Department in November 2011 to contribute to the preparation of legislation to give effect to the Programme for Government commitments in relation to the foreshore leasing and licensing regime by considering key policy and implementation issues in this area. The group is chaired by a Principal Officer in my Department and has met on 3 occasions to date.
As well as my own Department, membership is drawn from the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Transport, Tourism and Sport and Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as An Bord Pleanála, the City and County Managers Association and the Marine Institute. Other organisations, such as the Attorney General’s Office, also participate as necessary.
738. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the independent panel to facilitate a resolution to the problem of pyrite was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48579/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established the independent Pyrite Panel in September 2011, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Brendan Tuohy with Mr. Noel Carroll and Mr. Malcolm Edger as the other members . The Panel held 67 meetings and issued a comprehensive report containing 24 recommendations in July 2012 . I am now in the process of implementing the report’s recommendations in a way that will deliver solutions for homeowners . I recently announced that my Department will now finalise arrangements and terms of reference for the establishment of a Resolution Board. I have written to the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation, HomeBond, the Irish Insurance Federation and the Irish Banking Federation giving them one final opportunity to engage constructively with me in putting in place a remediation programme and to contribute to its cost . I have set a deadline of 9 November for the parties to advise me of their responses. In the event that I do not receive positive responses by that date, I will ask Government to sanction the necessary steps to impose the type of levy recommended in the pyrite report to provide the necessary funding for a remediation programme.
739. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the National coordination committee for unfinished housing developments was established; who is the chairperson of this group; the membership of same; the number of meeting that have been held and the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action being taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48580/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra747. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for resolving the issue of ghost estates. [48595/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra752. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he will be publishing his survey on incomplete developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48715/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 739, 747 and 752 together.
The resolution of the various issues presented by unfinished developments is one of the major challenges faced by my Department and local authorities. The National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments (NCC), which I chair, is charged with overseeing the implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government’s response to the recommendations. The NCC includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector and real progress is being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates.
The NCC was established in June 2011 and has met on 9 occasions, and a Progress Report was published in July 2012. Under the Public Safety Initiative (PSI), my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.549 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available to address immediate public safety issues in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date under the PSI include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. A provision of €2 million has been made for 2012 by my Department and to date, a total of €1.897 million has been drawn down by local authorities.
I anticipate that the progress made in tackling the challenges faced by residents of unfinished housing developments will be reflected in the 2012 National Housing Development Survey which was conducted over the summer months. This Survey report, which I expect to publish by the end of November, should provide a clear picture of the progress which has been made to date in tackling the issues surrounding unfinished housing developments.
740. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which local government/local development alignment steering group was established; the person who is chairman of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48582/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established the Alignment Steering Group on 28 September 2011 with the following membership:
Mr Jim Ley, Chairperson; business strategy consultant and company director;
Dr. Patricia O’Hara, regional policy expert and Adjunct Professor at the National Institute for Regional Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) NUI Maynooth;
Mr. Liam Keane; former public servant with the HSE;
Ms. Martina Moloney; Galway County Manager;
Mr. Gerry Kearney, former Secretary General of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs;
Ms Geraldine Tallon, Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The Group met on 11 occasions and produced an interim report in December 2011 outlining some initial conclusions and suggestions for a way forward. The Group’s final report, which sets out the Group’s findings and recommendations, was published on 16 October 2012 and is available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie. The Steering Group’s recommendations as reflected in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government will be implemented on a phased basis over the period 2012-2014.
741. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the local government efficiency review implementation group was established; the person who is chairman of this group; the membership of same; the number of meetings that have been held; the number of reports and conclusions issued; the action taken or to be taken as a result of the process [48583/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local government efficiency review implementation group was established on 29 April 2011. The Implementation Group is independently chaired by Mr. Pat McLoughlin (Chief Executive, Irish Payments Services Organisation, and former chairperson of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group). In addition to the Chair, the members of the Implementation Group are as follows;
Mr. Des Dowling, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Mr Garrett Fennell, Managing Director, GFC Consulting Ltd.
Mr. David Hearn, Consulting Partner in Charge, Deloitte
Ms. Anne O’Keeffe, Former Director, Office of Local Authority Management
The Group has met on sixteen occasions to date and submitted its first interim progress report to me in December 2011 which I asked to be developed further. A revised progress report was submitted and has been published on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie.
Direct savings identified in the Local Government Efficiency Review due to efficiency measures in local government are estimated as totalling €345m, comprising some €195m achieved in the period 2010 to 2011 and estimated further savings of €150m to be achieved in the period up to the end of 2013. These savings have been achieved to date primarily from areas such as staffing and procurement and I expect that further efficiency savings will continue to accrue in these areas and also into the future following the examination of a shared services approach across a number of programmes, particularly in relation to treasury management, transactional HR, shared payroll systems, and ICT back office functions. This estimate does not include any reductions in expenditure due to reduced activity.
The focus of the Group is on furthering efficiency gains and in this context, it is working closely with the local government sector in examining a wide range of business processes that could yield significant efficiency savings should they be delivered through a shared services or a lead authority approach. I am advised that the Implementation Group is currently drafting its next progress report, which I expect to have submitted to me shortly.
