Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government in Northern Ireland is trying to do the same as we are trying to do here. It is trying to reduce the number of local authorities to 11.

I agree with the Deputy that we have taken a lot of staff out of the local government system in the last three to four years. Staff numbers are down by 8,500, the highest number in any segment of the public service. Obviously, numbers in this sector can only go so low, as otherwise it will not be able to deliver services to the citizen. I am very conscious of this. I am particularly concerned about outdoor staff because they are getting older and will need to be replaced. We have already hit the 2015 target in terms of the employment ceiling set and do not expect to make many further reductions in terms of staff costs. However, we must examine ways by which we can streamline the structures at higher levels in the local government system, namely, the administrative and director of services levels, in order that we can make savings there rather than in front-line services. The proposed amalgamations will save money. The amalgamations to date, in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, have shown that savings of between €5 million and €7 million, depending on the local authority involved, will be achieved, once structures are streamlined. It is a matter for each local authority to decide how it wants to deliver its services, either in-house or through outsourcing. Waste management services have already been outsourced in almost every local authority.

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