Local Authority Members' Remit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Ceisteanna (447)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

447. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the level of funding provided by his Department or agencies under its remit to individual local authorities for the provision of life-saving equipment, such as lifebuoys, defibrillators and safety signage for each of the past six years, in tabular form; the level of funding sought by local authorities over the corresponding period; his plans in relation to this area of safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13580/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

My Department provides no direct funding for equipment of the types mentioned above. My Department supports local authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of certain core funding. Local authorities also receive funding from a number of other Departments and agencies for activities they carry out on their behalf.

As democratically elected independent bodies, it is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities, including funding towards lifebuoys, defibrillators and safety signage, in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.