Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress being made with the Programme for Government commitment to require local authorities to be more flexible with meeting times and to use remote working technologies and flexible work practices to support councillors with parental or caring responsibilities, including childcare, and reduced travel times and absences from work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54200/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department has undertaken a wide variety of initiatives aimed at making the role of the councillor as flexible and inclusive as possible.

Through funding research, providing supports to organisations that deliver capacity building and training, and annual calls for funding for both local authorities and political parties, my Department is working to make the role of the councillor more accessible to all.

Our annual calls for funding provide investment for innovative and forward-thinking projects which support wider inclusivity and diversity in local government decision-making structures. These have included, for example, a feasibility study in one local authority to examine and improve existing physical infrastructure available to councillors with childcare responsibilities, technology to facilitate remote meetings, and the provision of childcare and parenting facilities.

I have also approved funding for resources providing guidance to local authorities in the area of family friendly supports. For example, in September, I launched the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) Toolkit for Local Authorities on Supporting Family-Friendly Local Government. This toolkit offers recommendations geared towards assisting both officials and councillors in making the role of local council members more manageable and sustainable for members with caring responsibilities. The toolkit recognises that, while the issue of care disproportionately affects women, it also impacts all people who have caring responsibilities.

Since October 2020, and the signing into effect by Minister O’Brien of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 (Section 29) (Local Authorities) (Designation) Order 2020, local authorities have been able to hold meetings remotely, if the Council chooses to do so. Any decisions made or votes taken at such meetings are the same as decisions made or votes taken by the members if such meetings had been held in person.

Recognising the obstacle posed by the lack of a statutory framework in relation to maternity leave for councillors, I have developed a comprehensive package of maternity related benefits for councillors. On 27 July last, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022. The Bill will be published once approved by Government and thereafter progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas having regard to the overall Government legislative programme. This legislation will eliminate a significant barrier to the participation of women who choose to have children in local government.

Finally, it is important to recognise that the approval of standing orders for council meetings, including the timing of meetings, is a reserved function of the elected Council itself.