Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the delegates from the Association of Irish Local Government for their presentations and for bringing forward their suggestions for solutions. I have two questions regarding funding. Do the councillors agree that the cap on discretion by local authorities in capital expenditure should be raised with greater discretion for local authorities rather than seeking approval at all times from the Department, which is one of the great delays that exist? In regard to voids and the cap of €30,000 for repair and reinstatement of void units, do the councillors believe that local authorities should have greater discretion on a higher amount for those repairs in order to address those voids much quicker than is currently the case, considering the timescale the witnesses spoke of and which is not a surprise to the committee at all despite what Deputy Brophy has said. It is something which has been quite obvious. I know there have been some inroads recently but it has been very obvious for the last two years.