Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleagues with regard to councillors. There was a review of local government carried out in respect of the 2014 local elections. We reduced the number of councillors and expanded their jurisdictions but did not make the appropriate adjustments to allowances and expenses. In fairness to councillors, they are providing local leadership in their communities and they work extremely hard. If one wants to survive as a councillor, one must put in the hard work. They are doing so. In fairness to the Minister, the matter is under review but it is important that we have some indication from him as to the timeline. This is the issue about which I am concerned.

This matter was raised over 12 months ago. The local elections were in June 2014. Two years on, we are nearly half way through councillors’ term. It is now that the review should be carried out and delivered on. I have come across a number of councillors, with young families or children in third level education, who are now finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. That must be taken into account. Can the Minister indicate when the review will be completed? It is a question of delivering on a comprehensive package and not just a question of a little tweak here and there.

On the issue of Console and the charity regulator, we need to grasp the extent of this matter. Some 2,600 organisations receive funding from the HSE, amounting to €3.6 billion per annum. We need to have proper structures in place to ensure proper auditing mechanisms. I ask the Leader to acquire some clarification to ensure all those procedures are put in place.