Written answers
Wednesday, 6 March 2024
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Local Authorities
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government in tabular form, per local authority, the value of the contracts for street light maintenance for 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10887/24]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not have a direct involvement in executive functions such as the procurement of contracts for the maintenance of public lighting, carried out by a local authority. Under Section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Chief Executive of a local authority is responsible for the executive functions of the local authority, and for that purpose to manage and control generally, the administration and business of the authority, subject to law. Accordingly, my Department does not hold the specific information requested, but it may be available from individual local authorities.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what additional financial support will be provided to Westmeath County Council in response to the unauthorised financial transactions by a third party, amounting to in excess of €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/24]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I was informed that Westmeath County Council has recently been subject to a third-party payment fraud in the amount of approximately €515,000.
I understand that as soon as the Council became aware of the matter it took all appropriate measures, including engaging with its insurer and specialist advisers. The issue is under investigation by An Garda Síochána and the Council is cooperating fully with that investigation. In addition, the Council is engaging with the supplier affected. There are currently no plans to provide additional financial support in relation to this matter. When investigations are complete, Westmeath County Council will issue a further statement.
Local authorities have anti-fraud and corruption policies in place. The procedures in Westmeath County Council’s anti fraud and corruption policy have been triggered and will inform the actions that they now undertake to address this matter.
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