Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to implement the recommendations of the local government efficiency review group; if he plans to set up regional housing authorities to replace city and county council housing departments and to merge the housing departments of the four Dublin authorities; the proposed time frame and the expected costs, the structural changes involved and the changes to existing processes for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2135/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The findings and recommendations of the Report of the independent Local Government Efficiency Review Group are for consideration by the Government in the appropriate policy and financial contexts.

I am currently considering the establishment of an implementation group, with an independent chair, to oversee implementation of relevant recommendations contained in the Report in line with Government decisions. In the meantime, I recently established a group, independently chaired by Mr. Pat McLoughlin (who also chaired the Efficiency Review Group), to carry out a review of the staffing complement and the number of senior managers in Dublin City Council. This review which is to be completed in mid 2011 will recommend to me actions to reduce the Council's staffing complement. Similar arrangements will be put in place in respect of Cork City Council. The Report does not include any specific recommendations regarding the establishment of regional housing authorities.