Funding local government

Sir, – Senator Malcolm Byrne seems to suggest that it would be more efficient and effective to increase the number and powers of our local councillors rather than the number of our TDs (Letters, April 20th).

However, it has been the firm policy of successive governments to curtail these powers for a variety of reasons peculiar to Ireland and the somewhat chequered history of local government decision-making. This approach has been in line with the trend in Europe, where the emphasis has been on amalgamation and structured co-operation between authorities.

In Denmark, the number of local authorities has been reduced from 272 to 98 and the number of local representatives from 4,500 to 2,500.

However, the correct comparison with Ireland would be specifically in relation to Denmark’s 205 regional councillors rather than their large number of municipal councillors. If the local property tax in Ireland provides the funding for local authorities, the real question is just what services does this tax provide funding for.

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There is an almost complete reliance on exchequer funding for crucial areas such as local authority housing, and most of the important decision-making powers of elected councillors have been ceded to full-time officials and professionals who will remain in place regardless of any changes to the system.

Despite this, the exchequer still funds the salaries and allowances of 949 councillors at an annual cost of over €33 million and, perhaps, that is where the focus should lie. – Yours, etc,

MARTIN McDONALD,

Terenure,

Dublin 12.