Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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407. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the introduction of planned changes in the payment of allowances in respect of expenses incurred by members of local authorities as announced in January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/17]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to review the supports provided to councillors, in consultation with representative bodies, to enable them to continue their important work.

In January this year, taking account of the considerable additional workload councillors have experienced since the 2014 local government reforms were introduced, the former Minister announced important changes to support councillors in their role as public representatives.

While it was intended that these new measures would be implemented with effect from 1 July, the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) requested that further consideration be given to the terms and conditions that would apply, I subsequently met with a delegation from the AILG to listen to their views on the matter. A particular concern raised, which has been acknowledged, was to ensure appropriate recognition of the workload of all councillors at sub-county level across the country.      

Changes of the kind involved are brought into effect through an amendment of regulations made under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, which require the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Draft amending regulations have been prepared and are currently under consideration between the two Departments.

While the finalisation of the matter is taking longer than intended, it is important that the measures are implemented from the outset in a manner that is fair to all councillors. I will be continuing to work to bring the matter to finality as soon as possible.