Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

that may arise in this respect as part of the overall commitment towards a
more integrated public service. Local authorities should also ensure that
direct debits from social welfare payments are made a condition for new
tenancies.
10.1.17 On the basis that some 70% of local authority tenants are in receipt of some
form of payment from the Department of Social Protection direct deduction
of rents at source would lead to annual savings on the costs associated with
rent collection of some €25 million. In addition to this figure, however, the
Group considers that direct deductions would have significant positive sideeffects,
in that a natural consequence of this change would be the cessation
of the future accumulation of arrears in respect of a substantial proportion of
local authority rents.
10.1.18 In early 2010, local authorities were asked to establish homelessness
consultative fora on a regional basis with a view to preparing regional action
plans to address homelessness for the wider regional area. One local
authority is designated as lead authority with primary responsibility for
preparing the action plan. This approach seems sensible given that in many
cases there is a principal centre of population in each region which tends to
be the main focus for homelessness issues for the wider area. The lead
authority plays a largely coordinating role, although this does not affect the
statutory responsibilities of individual authorities.
10.1.19 With regard to services for the homeless, local authorities with a small base
of homeless persons should consider whether a partnership approach to
relevant homeless services could be adopted with neighbouring areas to
pool resources and improve access to local services, as appropriate.
Partnership with the HSE in this area should be continued or enhanced
where necessary, based on a clear understanding of the respective roles of
the agencies, whereby housing authorities have responsibility for
accommodation aspects and the HSE for heath and care services (see
section 8.5 for further details).
10.1.20 The Group understands that consideration is being given to undertaking a
value for money study into the costs and benefits of different Traveller
accommodation options to identify the scope for increased effectiveness in
investment and issues that arise in terms of the costs of Traveller
accommodation.
10.1.21 In addition, the Group is also recommending that the housing-related
functions of rating town councils be transferred to county councils. This
along with the transfer of other responsibilities should yield a significant
saving in costs each year (for further details see section 5.6).
10.1.22 The Group noted that one of the most significant challenges for local
authorities in the medium term in this area is likely to be the need to provide
a housing response to Government proposals in relation to the
deinstitutionalisation of individuals from mental health facilities and
congregated settings. This process will need to be planned, implemented,
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