Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is examining the possible funding options for local government in the context of a programme of local government reform; the measures and initiatives he envisages will be introduced to give local authorities greater funding resources; his views on an increased level of local charges for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27886/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change on 22 April 2008. Stronger Local Democracy presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership.

Stronger Local Democracy describes the current funding mechanisms, summarises those reviews of the resourcing of local government which have been completed in recent decades, and sets out the key principles and issues for debate. These considerations will feed into the work on the Commission on Taxation, established in February 2008 in line with the Programme for Government; the Commission has been specifically tasked with consideration of options for the future financing of local government.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has made a submission to the Commission on Taxation on funding local government; the recommendations made in any such submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27887/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department has made a submission to the Commission on Taxation. It will be a matter for the Commission to make recommendations to the Minister for Finance on options for the future financing of local government.