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

Amendment No. 67 amends section 1 of the Bill by providing for the insertion of a new section 149A in the Local Government Act 2001. It is required in order to provide a definitive legal basis for one local authority to carry out executive functions such as back-office support services on behalf of one or more local authorities. It will apply to County Laois in respect of shared services and procurement. The amendment will facilitate the implementation in the local government area of Government policy for the operation of shared services across the public sector. To give effect to the policy in the local authority sector, a lead local authority model has been agreed whereby a single local authority will deliver the shared services on behalf of all local authorities. Shared services should be a win-win situation for local authorities and citizens as they reduce costs, improve service and increase standardisation while allowing local authorities to focus on core citizen-facing activities. Laois County Council will deal with shared services in respect of payroll and superannuation, which will lead to a saving of €4.3 million per year and 70 staff over time.

Amendment No. 9 is a related amendment to section 1(21) of the Bill and provides for section 51 in so far as it relates to the insertion of 149A into the principal Act, to be commenced on the enactment of the Bill.

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