Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of outstanding debt in respect of each local authority including the amount of finance required to discharge contractual obligations across all programme headings with particular reference to water, waste water and Part V housing commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The overall amount of debt outstanding in city and county councils at the 31 December 2008, the latest date for which I have audited figures, is some €4.9 billion. The information requested is set out in the following table. Balance @ 31/12/08

As part of their budgetary process the elected members of the local authority agree a rolling three year capital budget and identify the priorities for the coming year.

The provision of water services infrastructure is funded by my Department through the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes. It is open to local authorities to seek my Department's approval for borrowing to meet costs arising on capital programmes which are not met from their own resources or from the Exchequer through schemes of grant assistance. Draw downs on foot of borrowing amounting to a maximum of €215 million have been approved for water services projects in 2009. Applications for loans and overdrafts are considered by my Department on a case by case basis.

The information in respect of Part V housing is not held in my Department.

In 2009 local authorities have budgeted to spend some €11 billion in total between current and capital programmes. Debt finance is one of the sources of funding available to local authorities in the normal course of business to finance this expenditure. Other sources of funding include current and capital income, grants and subsidies.