Written answers
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Local Government Reform
9:00 pm
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in terms of local government reform his plans to re-balance the executive functions of city and county management and transfer powers to elected members of the city and county councils; if it is his intention to provide elected members of local authorities with proper revenue raising powers and thus enhance the democratic accountability of the executive functions of city and county councils; his plans to pursue a more streamlined version of local government where a town or borough council may be subsumed into the structure of city and county councils thereby no longer functioning as separate entities; the estimated savings such amalgamations would yield for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/12]
Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am adopting a progressive approach to the reform and development of local government in accordance with the Programme for Government. Decisions have already been taken to merge the authorities in Limerick and Tipperary and implementation work is proceeding. I have also established a Local Government Committee to consider whether Waterford City and County Councils should be unified.
The development of a system of local government funding which is fair, stable and effective and brings greater local responsibility in relation to financial matters is an essential feature in the reform programme. I intend also to bring proposals to Government shortly on the establishment of an inter-Departmental expert group to be tasked with designing a property tax. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the structure and modalities of the tax in due course.
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