Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

314. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of financial savings achieved in each of the 31 local authorities in the first year after the abolition of the town councils and the amalgamation of a number of local authorities; if these details will be broken down for each individual council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29461/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The provisions of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 Act relating to the merger of local authorities in Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, the dissolution of town councils and the establishment of municipal districts came into effect on 1 June 2014. Accordingly, 2015 will be the first full year of the operation of these and other significant changes in the local government system and, in the circumstances, it would be premature to attempt a comprehensive assessment of the financial or other impacts of these changes. Nonetheless, I have initiated an evaluation process on the operation of the new structures through a broadly based advisory group which my Department has recently convened together with a working group for engagement with the Association of Irish Local Government, both of which played an important role in the early stages of the local government reform process. The groups will examine how the new arrangements are impacting in relation to both non-financial and financial matters such as governance, strategic functions, organisational change, administrative savings, streamlining of operations and services and efficiency aspects generally. In this regard, it is important to view the benefits of structural reorganisation not only in terms of expenditure reductions but also having regard to the broader objectives of local government reform such as strengthening the sector, addressing issues and anomalies relating to boundaries and seeking greater efficiency and more productive use of resources.

Overall, the thrust of Government policy remains to strengthen local government and foster the potential for improved subsidiarity, coherence and efficiency, resulting in greater value for money for the taxpayer and, ultimately, improved service delivery for citizens. The review underway will provide a sound evidence base upon which to consider the operation to date of the revised structures and arrangements and the on-going implementation of the reform programme including any further developments to local government and local democracy.