Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Boyhan and Ahearn for their kind words of condolence on the death of my sister. They are very much appreciated.

In fairness to Senator Ahearn, he has always been an advocate for councillors' needs across Ireland. We know how challenging it is being a councillor. Many councillors are now full time because of the seriousness of the work and the amount of work they have to do. Therefore, making allowances for security measures can be quite challenging in terms of the existing supports. Clearly there is a recognition that the scheme that was introduced is not enough. That is clear from the take-up of the scheme, which I will outline shortly. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, recognise that. We will get movement on this as soon as possible.

Local government plays an important role in the life of the nation. It is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of services. Elected councils provide a vital forum for the democratic representation of local communities. All elected representatives should be free to carry out their functions and representational role without fear of harassment or intimidation. Heightened adversarial attitudes to elected representatives are corrosive to democratic participation. They risk deterring potential new candidates and inducing existing representatives to withdraw from political life. The Senator touched on this when he mentioned encouraging new people in to politics. It is in this context that a security allowance for councillors was introduced in September 2023. Under the current scheme, elected members can claim a maximum of €2,500 or 50%, whichever is the lesser, of the cost of home-security measures that have been recommended in a report made by their local crime prevention officer.

In light of a recommendation in the report of the task force on safe participation in political life to review the security allowance for councillors, my Department surveyed the 31 local authorities to ascertain the uptake of the allowance by councillors, and to identify any obstacles to this. The findings are pretty stark, as the Senator alluded to. It showed that only 23 of the 949 councillors availed of the allowance in 2024. Challenges reported by local authorities in relation to the uptake and administration of the scheme included the requirement of councillors to meet half the costs of the works as well as, in some areas, delays in obtaining a report by a crime prevention officer. Engagement with the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, and LAMA on this issue indicated that the biggest obstacles to the scheme’s uptake is the requirement of councillors to contribute 50% of the cost of the expenditure. They also indicated that the €2,500 maximum was insufficient to meet the needs of all councillors.

On foot of this review, my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, recently approved a business case for a revised allowance that reflects the feedback received. This was submitted by my Department to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, whose approval is required for any revision to the scheme. Any revision to the allowance would also need to be introduced by the making of ministerial regulations under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, countersigned by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I understand that the business case is being considered by that Department and that there will be further engagement with my Department on this proposal shortly.

There is an urgency around this. The Senator will see in the response that there is also a small legislative requirement. I do not think that will be too burdensome or will slow the process too much. The Senator's point is well made. We need to encourage more people in to politics. There is, anecdotally at least, an increase in harassment incidents and safety concerns for councillors and local representatives. The Senator has always been an advocate on this issue. I will work with the relevant Ministers to make sure we get this measure introduced as soon as possible.