Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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179. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on proposals from the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland and the AMAI advocacy to ensure that the proposed municipal districts councils, as proposed in the Putting People First, will have the function and financial independence to enable them to continue the main core of their town council work, with Maynard status, and enable them to represent the eighteen of these new municipal areas in a real and meaningful way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24543/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 430 of 14 May 20 13 which sets out the position i n this matter.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the €5 - 9 million savings that is maintained will arise from Putting People First with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils under the headings payroll, tendering, procurement, services and other. [24581/13]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of implementing the merger of Waterford City and County Councils. [24582/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee, which was published in October 2012, estimated savings, primarily payroll related, associated with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils at €3.87m. In addition, the Committee has indicated that further savings, in the range of €1.3m to €5m, can be made in operational and administrative expenses. The amalgamation of authorities will also have implications both for local authority revenue and costs , including some one-off costs associated with the transition to the new arrangements.

As indicated in the Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, the primary purpose of local authority unification is to strengthen the effectiveness of local government in the areas concerned and its capacity to promote their development. The Committee indicated, in addition to the estimated financial savings, that the benefits from a merged authority, particularly with regard to its potential impact on economic and social development, outweigh any transitional costs involved and provide the best long-term option for local government in Waterford.

An Implementation Group, which has been appointed to oversee and guide the reorganisation process in Waterford, is due to produce an Implementation Plan (in accordance with its terms of reference) by end June 2013.