Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Minister of State will clarify for us that, as a result of the transfer of powers, there will not be any reduction in the level of grants paid to the local authorities to help them in their responsibilities in terms of civil defence. I know there is a budgetary process in terms of the ongoing moneys available, and that this will be negotiated on a year-by-year basis. However, I want to know that the actual transfer will not result in a reduction or in any cutbacks in the grants paid. As it is, all local authorities are strapped for cash but this is an essential role.

The Minister of State might also outline what type of moneys are available, for example, in a crisis scenario such as the flooding that happened in Galway, although it could be in Cork or anywhere else in the country. Is there a crisis fund which is held centrally and which each local authority can apply to if it finds itself in a crisis? How will that process work with the local authorities?

Are the grants paid on an annual basis, with a certain amount given each year to maintain the services and supports? How will the mechanism work from a grant aid or expenditure point of view? If, for example, Galway city or county council, or any council, finds itself in a time of crisis where the Civil Defence has to be deployed and there is extra expenditure, is this taken out of the annual allocation for the local authority or do they get central funding from the grant system that is in place?