Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under the comprehensive review of expenditure, it was expected that €6.8 million would be raised from the landfill levy. I welcome the fact that 300,000 fewer tonnes of waste will be going to landfill. Is the Minister seeking to make up the shortfall between the €6.8 million referred to in the comprehensive review of expenditure and his estimate of €52 million in respect of this matter? On the figures provided in respect of revenue from the plastic bag levy and the fall-off in the number of audits taking place, is it the Minister's view that the number of such audits needs to be increased?

Up to 31 December 2011, the Housing Finance Agency had advanced approximately €500 million to local authorities in the form of loans. There appears to have been change regarding how those loans are dealt with. Previously, the interest relating to them was rolled up. As of this year, €179 million worth of these loans has been transferred to a 25-year annuity loan. However, there is no indication of how the remainder will be dealt with. In addition, there have been no payments to local authorities. Will the Minister outline the position on loan book and the costs incurred by local authorities?

I did not note in any of the Minister's estimates a figure for property tax, which we do not expect to be implemented until 1 July. Another revenue steam is the €100 household charge. There seems to be a gap in the figures of up to a quarter of the funding required. Will the Minister outline in terms of the Estimates how a funding gap of a quarter of the funds required will be addressed? There will be no income from either of those sources in April, May or June. How does the Minister propose that bridge that gap?