John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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554. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department plans to examine the current boundaries as they pertain to the administrative areas of existing local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51334/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Part V of the Local Government Act 1991, as amended, contains provisions relating to local authority boundary alterations, including procedures in relation to proposals for such alteration; provision for the establishment of a boundary committee to review boundaries; and power for the Minister, subject to specified conditions, to alter boundaries by order.

There are currently no proposals as provided for in the legislation for an alteration of the administrative area boundaries of existing local authorities.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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555. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department plans to examine the current funding mechanism for local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51335/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. They provide in excess of 1,000 services on behalf of over 30 public bodies. Accordingly, the funding system for local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services, Local Property Tax (LPT) as well as funding from Government Departments and other bodies. Central Government funding of local authorities similarly presents a complex picture, with transfers, both current and capital, coming from a wide range of Departments and Offices for a variety of purposes. It is a matter for each local authority as to how it can maximise local income sources and manage its own spending, in the context of the annual budgetary process.

I acknowledge the current financial environment in which all local authorities, are operating, and the pressures facing them in respect of general inflation and higher costs. Every effort has been made to provide support to the sector in the delivery of its functions.

In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, a Local Democracy Taskforce has been established to reform and strengthen local government. The work of the Taskforce is focused across four themes. One such theme is the funding of local authorities. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals for Government consideration, including in the area of enhancing local authorities’ fiscal autonomy. I look forward to engaging across Government on these matters of importance to local democracy in advance of any proposals being finalised.