Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1983 > Committee of Public Accounts > Interim and Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1978 - 1979

APPENDIX 10

ABORTIVE CALLS BY THE HOUSING INSPECTORATE AND GRANTS IN RESPECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS

2 July, 1981

Mr. L. Browne

Clerk to the Committee of Public Accounts

Dear Mr. Browne

During my examination by the Committee of Public Accounts I undertook to provide

information on two matters, namely:—

—an estimate of the number of abortive calls by the housing inspectorate; and

—grants in respect of environmental works.

Please find enclosed notes for the information of the Committee on both topics.

Yours sincerely

G. A. MEAGHER

(Accounting Officer)

Department of the Environment

Estimated Number of Abortive Calls by Housing Inspectorate

While the Department does not maintain figures on abortive calls by housing inspectors, it is estimated that the maximum number of abortive calls would come to about 1,000 per annum. It might be noted that the total number of inspections would be in the region of 100,000 and that accordingly the number of abortive calls is insignificant in comparison to the total number of inspections.

Subhead G.1 — Grants to Local Authorities for environmental works

The amount originally provided in Subhead G.1 of the 1979 Estimates for grants in respect of environmental works was £1.68 million. In his Budget Speech on 7th February, 1979, the Tanaiste and Minister for Finance stated that an extra allocation of £2.6 million over and above this provision was being made for environmental works. The total allocation for this purpose was, therefore, £4.28 million and allocations to this total were notified to county councils, county boroughs and Dún Laoghaire Borough on 14th February, 1979. Distribution of monies (£4.28 million) to individual local authorities for environmental works was made on the basis of the number of unemployed persons on the live register. In addition, later in the year special allocations totalling £273,445 were made with the sanction of the Minister for Finance. Of the £273,445, Mayo County Council received a sum of £123,445 for works carried out at Knock and the remaining £150,000 was paid to Cork County Council.

The full cost of the works as certified by the local authorities is recoupable by the Department. While the selection and execution of schemes is a matter for local authorities themselves, the works selected are required to have a high employment content, labour costs accounting for at least 60% of the total provisional allocation. Samples of the works undertaken were landscaping, provision and improvement of playgrounds and amenities, picnic areas and the provision of access to beaches.