Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the role and function of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; the persons who are members of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48803/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The role of the Finance and Audit Committee, as part of the on-going systematic review and development of the control environment and governance procedures within the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), is to promote good accounting practice, better and more informed decision-making and continued focus on regularity, propriety and value for money throughout the LGMA.

The Committee also has a role in overseeing and advising on matters relating to the operation and development of the internal audit function, and to report to the Accounting Officer in relation to the operation and development of that function.

The Committee is not responsible for any executive functions and has no executive powers but exercises an advisory role in relation to its duties and functions.

The functions of the Finance and Audit Committee of the LGMA are as follows:

- To act as a source of independent advice on matters relating to financial management and control

- To oversee the internal audit function

- To assess whether appropriate action is taken to deal with key issues identified by the Internal Audit Unit and by external audit

- To examine and monitor the implementation of the LGMA’s risk management strategy

- To review and advise on the programme of work for the Internal Audit Unit

- To facilitate improvements in internal audit and internal control

- To approve and periodically review a charter for Internal Audit which clearly defines the purpose, authority, role, responsibility and reporting relationships with the Audit Committee, Internal Audit Unit and relevant management of the LGMA

- To assess the results of completed internal audit reports and advise the Chief Executive, the Accounting Officer and the members of the LGMA Board of its conclusions thereon

- To monitor the implementation of the audit plan

- To request special reports from internal audit as considered appropriate

- To foster the development of best practice within the Internal Audit Unit

- Mr. Eddie Breen – Wexford County Manager

- Mr. Hubert Kearns – Sligo County Manager

- Mr. John Tierney – Dublin City Manager

- Mr. E die Sheehy – Wicklow County Manager

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the newly established Local Government Management Agency claims that it will be a national centre of excellence providing, procuring and coordinating a range of service supports, required in the local government sector; the person who is the Chairperson of the Local Government Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) was established in August 2012 under the Local Government (Corporate Bodies) Acts 1971 to 2012.

The Agency rationalises the functions of the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board in line with the Public Service Reform Plan published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in November 2011.

The LGMA was established to provide centralised and shared services on behalf of local authorities, particularly in ICT and Industrial Relations / Human Resource Management.

As part of my Department's Agency rationalisation programme, the LGMA will take on the core residual functions of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, which has been dissolved as of 1 November 2012.

The joint Chairperson of the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board was Mr. Eddie Breen, Wexford County Manager, who will continue as Chairperson of the Local Government Management Agency.