Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of bodies and agencies under his aegis; and his proposals for the rationalisation of same. [8196/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The information requested in relation to the bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out as follows:

Under the rationalisation programme for State Agencies the administrative functions of the Rent Tribunal were transferred to the PRTB with effect from 1 October 2009.

In 2010 the Affordable Homes Partnership and the National Building Agency, along with the Centre for Housing Research and the Homeless Agency, will merge to form a new Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA). The HSCA will work with and assist my Department and local authorities in their objective of delivering sustainable communities in a high quality living environment, by advising on and assisting in policy development and implementation, providing specialist support services, facilitating the provision of good quality housing and neighbourhoods and ensuring that development takes place in a manner that respects people, surroundings and the long-term common interest. It is hoped that the new Agency will be established in the first half of 2010.

The Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies are already serviced by a single executive. It is proposed formally to merge both agencies, thereby achieving greater efficiencies.

Work is well advanced towards the merger, in 2010, of the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board, to become the Local Government Management Agency.

The functions of the Fire Services Council are being undertaken by my Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009. It is not intended to reappoint a Council.