Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 294: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that South Dublin County Council has support to deal effectively with issues relating to the aftermath of the recent weather conditions; the assistance that will be available to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4191/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

General-Purpose Grants from the Local Government Fund are the contribution that my Department makes to local authorities to meet the gap between the cost to them of providing a reasonable level of day-to-day services and the income they obtain from other sources. A total of €24,289,702 in General-Purpose Grants has been allocated to South Dublin County Council from the Local Government Fund in 2010, a reduction of 1.6% on the amount allocated in 2009.

The Local Government Fund is also providing significant funding to local authorities for the improvement and maintenance of local and regional roads. The allocation of local and regional road grants to individual local authorities is a matter for the Minister for Transport.

Local authorities now have access to an additional revenue stream, the €200 non-principal private residence (NPPR) charge. The total raised by South Dublin County Council from this charge in 2009 was some €2m. This charge is being collected and the income retained by local authorities.

In Budget 2010 the Government announced a reduction in pay rates across the public service. This will result in payroll savings accruing to the local government sector in 2010. Local authorities, including South Dublin County Council, are to retain 65% of the payroll savings to be realised in their authority in 2010.

It is a matter for each local authority to prioritise its spending, within the resources available to it, across the range of services it provides. Equally, local authorities must ensure full value for money for the resources invested, and seek the maximum efficiency across their operations. I am satisfied that the level of funding provided to South Dublin County Council for 2010 makes a significant contribution towards enabling it to deal with the aftermath of the recent weather conditions and continuing to provide a reasonable level of service to the public.