Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which cost-cutting is or was required by his Department affecting the quality of services directly or via the local authorities in the past two years; the extent to which this arises from arrangements entered into by his predecessors with the troika, when it is expected that such commitments will be entirely fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36598/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Details of funding available to my Department this year as provided for in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013 , together with the spending outturns in 2011 and 2012, are set out in the following table.

While funding for my Department’s activities has been reduced in line with the constrained economic climate, it remains significant - €1.25 billion in 2013. It has been necessary to prioritise resources to ensure that our programmes contribute, to the maximum extent possible and with enhanced efficiency, to the overall Government objective of economic recovery and increased employment, while at the same time assisting those most in need of support.

The total funding of some €1.25 billion available in 2013 is being used to make maximum progress across the range of programmes for which my Department is responsible, including protecting the environment; providing necessary housing supports; investing in water services infrastructure; and fostering community and rural development in partnership with local government and other local development bodies.