Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the local government efficiency review group will be constituted; its members and the way they will be selected; the payments they will receive; the terms of reference for the group; the overall cost; when the group will report; if the group's proposals will be enforceable on all local authorities or will they be merely recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48180/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The terms of reference of the Local Authority Efficiency Review, as announced in the Budget, are as follows: to review the cost base, expenditure of and numbers employed in local authorities with a view to reporting on: - specific recommendations to reduce costs; - the effectiveness of particular programmes; - optimal efficiency in the way programmes are delivered; and, - any other proposals to enhance value for money in the delivery of services at local level.

The Group will take account of Government policy on local government organisation, reform and finances, the public service context set by the Task Force on the Public Service and associated Government Statement, necessary legal compliance by local authorities particularly in relation to environmental requirements, public health, and health and safety; and have regard to the state of the public finances. The Group will be chaired by Mr. Pat McLoughlin, Business Consultant and details of the other members will be announced shortly. It is my intention that the costs of this Review will be kept to the minimum.

I have asked the Group to complete its work by mid-2010. Recommendations arising from the Review will be brought to Government in due course for consideration.