Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has examined Sligo County Council's 2012 budget; his views on whether it is an acceptable and balanced budget and sufficient to meet the proposed income and expenditure of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22739/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 131 and 134 of 29 September 2011, 466 of 24 January 2012, 196 of 22 February 2012, 352 of 6 March 2012, 348 of 21 March 2012, 186 of 29 March 2012 and 864 of 18 April 2012, in which I stated that it is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner.

At the request of Sligo County Council, I met with a delegation from the Council on 31 January 2012 to discuss its financial position, including its adopted 2012 budget. At that meeting, I asked that realistic and costed proposals to reduce the Council's expenditure and increase its income in 2012, be submitted to my Department. I can confirm that a number of proposals were developed and submitted and I understand that these are being implemented by the Council.

Sligo County Council has also engaged an independent financial consultant to prepare a report on the authority's financial position and to provide further options for actions to be taken to address the Council's financial position. This report is due to be submitted to the Council next month and I have asked to be provided with a copy of the report.