Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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246. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of State bodies and agencies under his remit that have been established since February 2011; the number of such bodies subject to a sunset clause; the number of new public bodies being planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41269/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board merged with the establishment of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in August 2012. The LGMA also took on the residual functions of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, which has dissolved as of 1 November 2012. The LGMA is a central resource for the local government sector, providing, procuring and coordinating a range of support services and expertise which are most appropriately and efficiently delivered on a shared service basis at national level.

The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) was formally established in 2012. It rationalises the functions of the National Building Agency (NBA), the Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) and the Centre for Housing Research (CHR). The AHP and the CHR have been closed down and the NBA ceased operating in June 2011. The HSCA was set up to work with and support local authorities, approved housing bodies and my Department in the delivery of housing and housing services.

The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bórd Gáis Éireann to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer, in part, of water services functions from 34 water services authorities to Irish Water, which became the national water services authority from 1 January 2014.

The Pyrite Resolution Board was established on an administrative basis in February 2013 and was placed on a statutory footing in January 2014 following the enactment of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. The role of the Board is to oversee and direct the delivery of a cost effective pyrite remediation scheme for homeowners whose homes are affected by significant damage due to pyritic heave and where there are no other practicable options for redress. The Board will work with the Housing Agency to deliver the scheme.

None of these bodies are subject to a sunset clause but provision exits within the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971 to revoke, by order, any establishment order made under the 1971 Act.

My Department’s agency rationalisation programme has seen the number of agencies reduce from 21 to 9. A further reduction to 8 will occur with the planned dissolution of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

There are currently no plans to establish additional agencies under my Department’s aegis.