Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the review was to allow the Department to look into this scheme in order to see what changes might be made, if any. There have been discussions about that. Regarding when the review was finished, it is within our Department and it has been feeding into discussions over the last year. There has been much debate in that context and many issues now have to be checked. It may lead on to recommendations for changes, which will be brought forward in the months ahead by the Minister for a decision to be made. That is where matters stand. On when or if the review was completed, I will try to see if I can identify an exact date. It has, however, been discussed in the appropriate division of our Department in the past year or two because it is an ongoing discussion document. We committed to reviewing this scheme and possible changes. Many people have told us that they like the scheme as it stands, while others have indicated that they would like changes. Many local authority members have suggested changes. That will all be brought to a head now when the Minster brings forward recommendations in the weeks and months ahead.

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