496 Deputy Brendan Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the local government auditor criticised Waterford County Council over their deteriorating collection levels and for not properly maintaining a register of lands; if his Department have had any communications with the council regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29441/10]

Each Local Authority is required to prepare and publish a financial statement in respect of every financial year. These financial statements are audited by the Local Government Audit Service which provides an independent and professional public sector audit service to the Local Government sector. I received the Local Government Audit Service report for Waterford County Council for the year ended 31 December 2009 on 5 May 2010. My Department wrote to the Council on the main issues identified in the report and a response has been received.