Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the powers and functions undertaken by the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly. [38581/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs involved in running the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly. [38582/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine if it is worth maintaining the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the powers and functions undertaken by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. [38584/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs involved in running the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. [38585/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is worth maintaining the Northern and Western Regional Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38586/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 240, inclusive, together.

The Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly and the Southern and Eastern (S&E) Regional Assembly were established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1999. The functions of Assemblies are set out comprehensively in that Order. Their principal activities relate to the management of regional operational programmes, which are part-funded by EU structural and cohesion funds.

The accounts of the Assemblies show that the total expenditure in 2010 was €3.438 million in case of the BMW Regional Assembly and €7.683 million in the case of the S&E Regional Assembly.

I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 24, 44, 42 and 122 on 30 November 2011 in which I indicated that I intend to bring proposals to Government in the New Year in relation to local government structures generally, including at regional level.