Local authorities told to keep charge increases to a minimum

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche last night warned local authorities to keep charge increases to a minimum after he allocated €948 million to help pay for services.

Mr Roche insisted the general purpose grant funding, up €70m on last year, meant councils should show restraint when passing on costs to householders and businesses.

The minister said new auditing structures for councils would ensure the €9 billion they control will be closely watched.