Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1394. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the last communication between his Department's assistant secretary (details supplied) and-or other members of his staff with Sligo County Council's chief executive officer in relation to the finances of Sligo County Council; the form of this communication, that is letter, e-mail, phone call; the date this occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30579/15]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1395. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the source of money Sligo County Council will use to pay the legal costs for the Lissadell case, alleged to be between €3 million and €5 million; his position on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30580/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1394 and 1395 together.

Sligo County Council’s financial position is of serious concern to me. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular consultation with the Council in relation to its financial position, including in relation to the agreement of a long term financial plan to address these issues.

My Department received a financial plan on 29 April and responded on 12 June. Further to this, Sligo County Council submitted an updated financial plan on 21 August; engagement is on-going in relation to the contents of this plan and I expect my Department will issue a response to the Council shortly.

Legal costs incurred by the Council are a matter for the Council to address in the context of their annual budgetary process.