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

A large proportion, around €287 million, goes towards pay agreements and assisting local authorities in meeting those commitments. The Department is also doing a separate piece of work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the local authority network to try to get to the bottom of the funding refunds. An estimate in the local authority system of how much pay will be has to calculated in advance of the refund for the pay agreements, and that has to be reconciled properly. We are committed to supporting local authorities, and the provision of €287 million is a key a factor in demonstrating that. It will ensure they pass their budgets and citizens have the certainty their services will be protected.

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