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

With regard to the local property tax, it is incorrect and not factual to say that all other grants were removed from local authorities. Record streams of funding are now available to local authorities through urban and rural regeneration funds and various grants, including equalisation funds for local authorities that are short. By raising the property tax in County Longford, the council got access to multimillion euro funding. One has to examine the responsibility of councillors. With regard to Meath County Council, it is clear that there has been a 130% increase in what it has access to from central Government since 2016. A significant funding stream is available to local authorities. It is not correct to use a crude instrument such as population to determine and measure how local authorities are funded. We can all pick various metrics as it suits us to try to argue our case, but we in the Department have to be fair and ensure that local authorities are fully funded. I have given a commitment about the July stimulus package, with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, that it will be of scale and timely, and that it will respond to the challenge that local authorities face to ensure that they will not lose services or staff. I have been clear about that this morning. We also need to ensure that we support our local authorities. I will not be found wanting in that regard and nor will the Government.

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