Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We give them one overall payment from which they draw down funding. The local authorities tell me that they find it difficult to provide matching funding in respect of every scheme. I am in a particular position and I had better not make a comment on that matter. They take in major resources in the form of moneys levied from rates and planning charges. They provide services and are able to draw down funding. They get moneys from an equalisation fund. Those moneys accrue from the local property tax. We all have to play our part. It cannot only come down to one entity.

The Senator will be familiar with the local improvement scheme. The local authorities take the top 13% from the Department and administer the scheme on its behalf. There are other charges relating to delivering what is required. I should make them provide 50% of the funding and we would get more value from the local improvement scheme. We pay the full funding for the scheme and on top of that we pay the local authorities to administer it for us.

I will carry out a review of the allocation for the social inclusion units and if there is a need to do something in respect of that programme we will examine it.