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

I acknowledge the contribution of the Senator. As I assured the chief executive and his team, we have not been found wanting in delivering the allocation for Longford in the two years since I have been in the Department. This is the third year that we have secured that allocation. When the previous cathaoirleach was seeking to be part of significant capital decisions on purchasing land in the local authority, we were able to provide an assurance that the allocation would be provided again for the current year.

The review of the LPT baseline will be under way in the coming months. That process will involve a review of all funding for the local authority sector. Unfortunately, several counties have been affected by the closure of power stations. Senator Kyne, who is present, is on to me every week about the pressures Galway is under due to the shortfall in funding. We do need to review urgently the LPT base. That will be carried out this year and it is hoped that it will be finished by Easter. That calculation is a big challenge in how local authorities need to be funded so that they can deliver those services. The allocation of €60 million to which I referred in my response, however, will also be there to support local authorities. I will give Longford all the certainty that is in my power to give.