Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned about the calculation of the local government fund, specifically the surplus of €112 million that local authorities are being forced to spend on housing. This has implications on other services provided by local authorities. In our county, we have suffered big time in trying to retain libraries services and recycling centres because of the way the local government fund is calculated. The difference between the local government fund and the local property tax is to be spent on housing. I have no problem spending on housing but it is now putting pressure on other services within the local authority.