Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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153. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the new revenue-raising measures under consideration for granting local authorities, in particular, for Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17867/25]

Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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154. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the new debt-raising measures and financial instruments are under consideration for granting local authorities, in particular, for Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17868/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.

Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. Elected members have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget.

The funding system that applies to local authorities is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of local sources including commercial rates, Local Property Tax (LPT), charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government.

The Programme for Government 2025 "Securing Ireland's Future", commits to establishing a 'Local Democracy Taskforce' with the Local Government sector, to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals for Government consideration, to include granting councillors greater input and control over the development and implementation of the local authority budget, and enhancing fiscal autonomy.

As regards specific funding issues for Dublin City; my Department is participating in a working group of senior officials from across Government, under the leadership of the Department of the Taoiseach, which is currently considering the Dublin City Taskforce report recommendations including additional revenue raising proposals. There are a wide range of issues which call for close examination prior to consideration of any additional revenue-raising measures, whether they be applicable to Dublin only, or to all local authorities.

I look forward to engaging across Government on these matters of importance to local democracy in advance of any proposals being finalised.