Ms Martina Maloney:

To clarify matters with regard to the collection of commercial rates, the local government sector implemented a comprehensive debt management programme that involved improved processes, alignment of reporting methods and training for staff with regard to the collection of debt because during the recession, a significant amount of debt had built up in the area of rate collection. To be fair to local authorities, the collection percentage continues to improve. The 2017 report revealed that 21 out of the 31 local authorities had shown an improvement on previous years. The mean level of commercial rates collection increased from 82% in 2016 to 83.6% in 2017 so there is evidence of improved performance. Regarding the position on bad debt and the figures we utilise for this process, we are very clear in the guidelines we issue with regard to how bad debts are utilised in calculating the percentage collection. Bad debts must be excluded, in other words, they are written off in advance of the calculation we have here.

Regarding the fire certification process, the indicator we have is trying to identify the level of certification that is achieved within two months. In the event that it is not achieved within two months, there is a statutory provision that allows for an extension of time from the applicant because, on occasion, the local authority will need to go back to the applicant looking for further information. That accounts for some of the reasons they are not all delivered within the two-month period. We have no indicator with regard to post-inspection. After the building is constructed and the fire safety certificate has been issued, we do not have an indicator to measure performance in that area.

Building control was mentioned. NOAC has highlighted this area in the report in that the level of inspections in some local authorities does not meet the minimum one would hope for. Certainly the issue raised around the 79% level of non-compliance is significant. From our interactions with individual local authorities, it has emerged that some non-compliance is relatively minor in nature and is resolved within a reasonable period. It might be related to the absence of smoke alarms or fire extinguishers. The inspection brings what needs to be done to the attention of the owner of the property. According to the information we have been given in interactions with the local authorities, the issues tend to get addressed.

As the drinking water performance indicator is for the schemes that have not transferred to Irish Water, it involves the group schemes, which remain the responsibility of the local authority.