Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I thank all Senators for their participation in the debate. As usual in this House, there is very wide knowledge and interest in local government and that entire area and it is very useful to hear all the contributions. I will convey to the Minister, Deputy Hogan, those points that are specifically relevant to the decisions he and the Government will make in the near future. I note in particular the request for having information provided as soon as possible while acknowledging that widespread consultation is important, particularly with those who will be directly affected in local government. It is important to provide information and to do so as soon as possible with regard to the reform of local government. I note, especially in Limerick and Tipperary, the concern to know what will happen with the councils in those areas and, indeed, with councils in all areas for 2014 because there will be changes for everybody. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, is quite close to providing that level of certainty. He will come to talk to this House about these issues which are very important. I agree with all Senators that local government is hugely important in Irish life. I acknowledge this is a relatively modest Bill but what we are trying to achieve with it, and also in subsequent legislation, is to ensure we save money where we can and then, in turn, we will have the money for the kind of front line services to which many Senators referred. We do not wish to spend a lot of money on having many bodies and large numbers of back office staff; we want to have it for the front line services. That point was made by a number of Senators.

I will give some indications in regard to what is happening in this area. Local authority staff, for example, have been reduced from the figure of 2008 by about 23%. Specifically, the number of directors of service has been reduced by more than 20% since 2008. There is, therefore, some progress in that regard. On the merging of the various agencies, again there have already been savings. One example is the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency which will operate with half the number of staff from the three agencies being amalgamated. The National Building Agency has already sold its building for €2.8 million. Other buildings will become available for sale or for other use as a result of the various amalgamations taking place. There are real savings. Senator Quinn in particular asked about quantifying some of these savings. Some of that has been done in regard to the amalgamation of Limerick city and county. Whether they will all be realised remains to be seen but the anticipation is that there will be savings. I certainly support Senators who want to see that this money goes to services for the public. That has been very clearly articulated in this House.

Some other specific issues were raised. Regeneration was raised by a number of Senators, starting with Senators Mooney, Keane, Landy and others. I have quite an amount of experience of the Limerick regeneration process and I absolutely assure the House it is intended not only to continue with regeneration, but to accelerate its progress under the new arrangement. A director of service for regeneration has been appointed, provisionally at this stage. When the new manager comes into play and that appointment is made as we expect it to be made during the summer, the director of service will report directly to the new manager of the combined council which will be finally established in 2014. Offices will be retained in the regeneration agencies. The representation of local voices will be maintained with the local forum, etc. What will be speeded up is the construction of houses, as compared to the current situation where, as Senator Cullinane outlined, much of the focus has been on moving people rather than on construction. That will be accelerated. However, we want to maintain the good elements of regeneration which were referred to, in particular social regeneration, which has been very positive as I know from my experience. Some €27.5 million has been allocated for Limerick regeneration this year and we intend to spend the money wisely. What I want to achieve is greater benefit for the people in the regeneration areas and for Limerick as a whole, as a result of the amalgamation and the change in the structure. It will all be under one umbrella from now where there had been parallel processes which sometimes caused delays. That has been acknowledged and we want to ensure it works efficiently and effectively in the interests of the people concerned.

A number of issues were raised with regard to Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. The intention is to clarify exactly what will happen with the finances in respect of the councillors and their numbers, as raised by Senator Hefferman. Waterford is not yet at the stage that Limerick and Tipperary are and there is ongoing consultation. Everybody has acknowledged we need reform and that, in a relatively small country, we need to ensure we do not duplicate. Shared services were referred to and there is much scope for that, perhaps among other local authorities that are not proposed for amalgamation at this point.

Some other specific issues were raised. In regard to An Comhairle Leabharlanna, differing views were expressed. The intention is that the functions will be maintained and there will be no loss of service but we will not have this extra body. Some Senators suggested this is a good thing. Senator Mooney raised the issue of the re-establishment of Irish Water Safety. I reiterate its work will continue. It is a very lean organisation with only six members of staff but has a great deal of volunteerism and much good work being done. The Bill will allow it can be re-established by statutory instrument, as per the original intention envisaged. I assure the House the work of IWS will continue and the body will also continue but under the new legislation.

There were some other issues. Senator Keane was concerned about IT training and I will pass on her views that councillors should be included in that. Senators Clune and Barrett raised the efficiency review group's recommendations. That is what this Bill is doing, in effect, implementing the recommendations in these particular areas to ensure we save money. Obviously, much work remains to be done in regard to those recommendations.

I believe I have covered the points raised. Most speakers made general points about savings, the importance of reform and regeneration and spoke about having an opportunity to continue with the debate. There will be further legislation to deal with the full amalgamation of Limerick city and county councils and Tipperary north and south county councils. With regard to the amalgamation of the two local authorities in Limerick and Tipperary, the present element is intended to facilitate this work. For example, in Limerick the new manager will be able to do the amalgamation work in advance of the actual amalgamation. That is the limitation as proposed in this Bill with regard to those amalgamations.

I again thank every speaker for their contributions. I look forward to Committee Stage which I understand will be held in the very near future.