Written answers

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Finances

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government given that the Local Government Act now places responsibility for economic development with the relevant local authorities, the way in which Sligo County Council can be expected to promote County Sligo's €100 million tourism product, if it does not have the financial resources to appoint persons to any tourism development positions, which is ultimately leaving the county at a major disadvantage going forward, in comparison to other counties, ultimately worsening the financial situation of the council; if he will consider allocating specific funding to the council for the appointment of staff to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/15]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the issue raised in relation to tourism development positions at Sligo County Council is a matter for the Chief Executive.

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