Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of the local government fund general purpose grants which are being allocated to local authorities for 2007; the amount by which these grants have been increased over 2006; the amount of the grants represented by the proceeds of motor tax and by Exchequer contribution; the amounts by which these components of the grants are being increased over the 2006 allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42597/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the increase in the local government fund in the Estimates 2007 is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the rate of income received from each local authority since 2000; the way they are expected to maintain services in view of the local government fund allocation for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42569/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will significantly increase funding to local government in view of cost increases due to pay increases to local authority employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42563/06]

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will significantly increase funding to local Government in view of increased costs for maintenance of infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42564/06]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has notified local authorities as to the amount they will be allocated through the Local Government Fund for 2007; the amount to be paid out to all local authorities; the way the Census 2006 Preliminary Report has impacted on the allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42266/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 53, 56, 139, 168 and 513 together.

I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 46 on today's Order Paper.

As already stated the funding that I will be providing to local authorities for 2007, through general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund, will continue the strong trend of increasing central government support for the local government sector.

Yesterday I announced the allocation of almost €958m to local authorities for 2007, increasing the level of general purpose grants by 8% over the final allocations for 2006. The 2007 allocations figure is 2.8 times the initial allocation provided in 1997. This funding will assist local authorities in framing realistic and reasonable budgets in the statutory time period available to them to complete their budgetary process.

The Government has provided unprecedented increases in funding to local authorities since 1997. I am satisfied that with our commitment to local government, and increased income buoyancy generated from the greatly strengthened commercial base supported by the Government's successful economic policies, local authorities are in a very good position to respond to the public's need for quality services. I would also like to draw the House's attention to the increase in development contributions, which I mentioned in an earlier reply.

In allocating funding for 2007, I have taken into account the cost to each authority of providing its services, and factors including population increases, and the income from local sources.

The adoption of a budget is one of the most important reserved functions conferred on local authorities as it underpins their financial business for the following year. While I have no direct function in budgetary decision-making at local level, I have urged local authorities to continue to exercise appropriate restraint in setting any increases in commercial rates and charges. This is important to the long-term viability and competitiveness of commercial operations and to the overall competitiveness of the economy. Local authorities responded positively this year to my request in this regard and increases in rates and charges for 2006 were generally of a lower order than in previous years.

In this regard, I am also bringing forward an amendment this week, to the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006, to enhance the role of audit committees in local authorities and to provide for outside expert membership. Audit committees will in future review financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within a local authority; foster the development of best practice in the internal audit function; review auditor's reports and assess follow-up action by management; assess and promote efficiency and value for money; and review risk management systems.

Current expenditure in the local government sector in 2007 is likely to be some €4.5bn. Within this quantum of expenditure there is scope for efficiencies, innovation and further steps to ensure greater value for money. Elected members should examine their draft budget closely to ensure that every effort is made to get the maximum value for the expenditure proposed.

The funding accruing to the Local Government Fund comprises the proceeds of Motor Tax, an Exchequer contribution and interest earned on balances of the Fund. These are consolidated into the Fund; grants can not be attributed to specific elements of the Fund.

The following table shows, for each local authority, the allocations of general purpose grants from 2000 to 2007 and the percentage increases provided.