Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his kind words.

The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future sets out a range of actions that relate to local authority funding, including a commitment to review how commercial rates will be treated for the remainder of 2020. The programme also commits to bringing forward legislation for the local property tax, LPT, on the basis of fairness and where most home owners will face no increase. It also states that those counties with a lower LPT base will be adjusted via an annual national equalisation fund paid from the Exchequer, as is currently the case.

My officials are considering these commitments and will work with key stakeholders, including drawing on the work of the local government funding - baseline - review group, as necessary. This process will give the opportunity to address any historical anomalies in local authority areas that may exist, including in County Meath.

Notwithstanding the particular challenges that individual authorities face, all local authorities are experiencing financial challenges as a result of Covid-19. In order to support the local government sector generally, my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow under review and will continue to work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues that arise, including those issues as referred to by the Deputy that face Meath County Council.

My officials are happy to work with Meath County Council, on any financial issues that may be arising. Looking at the trajectory of funding over the past number of years from 2016 to 2019, Meath County Council has experienced an increase of 130%.

The Government is very clear about this emergency. There will be an announcement later today how we will further support local authorities and give them certainty that neither their services nor their staff will be cut.

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