Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

At the outset, the Deputy noted she had voted for development contributions in County Kildare. She was correct in so doing because development contributions are meant to deliver value on the ground. She also mentioned the idea they should be ring-fenced, which is also appropriate. I have no issues in this regard. However, I wish to see greater transparency in order that councillors who enter the estimates process know exactly what money is on hand.

The Deputy also referred to an issue that is outside the scope of this question, namely to the treasury management or fund management capacity of individual local authorities. I find it difficult to understand the reason some local authorities run substantial overdrafts on schemes when, on investigation of the issue, one discovers the existence of draw-downs and a range of other issues. Perhaps the audit committees to which I have referred will be able to deal with this matter.

I accept the Deputy's other point that undoubtedly, there is unscrupulous profit taking. I know of a case in my constituency in which two housing estates were for sale. When the first estate sold out, the houses in the other estate immediately rose in price by €50,000. As for the issue regarding public funds and the control of development levies, the latter are now well in excess of €500 million and are heading for €600 million this year. This provides a significant fillip to local authorities and is one reason I become extremely impatient when local authorities state they lack money to install a footpath as they have imposed levies to do precisely that. This issue must be driven at both local and national levels and I am highly conscious of the value for money points raised by the Deputy.

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