Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1209. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his response to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A contribution towards relevant education and training programmes at QQI Level 6 and higher is only one of a number of supports available to elected members to assist them in carrying out their role. Councillors can also avail of allowances including for conferences, seminars and training by recognised bodies in order to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Councillors are not employees of the local authority and are subject to different conditions to local authority staff. Approval for attendance by an individual member at any course is a matter for each local authority to decide within its budget in the context of its annual training and development programme.

There are several excellent and highly relevant training options available to councillors outside the QQI framework. For example, the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) provides a tailored training programme of free webinars and in-person events covering a wide range of topics of particular relevance to the elected member, designed and delivered in a way that accommodates councillors’ busy schedules.

The AILG has also collaborated with UCC to develop a Level 7 Certificate in Continuing Education Professional Development in Climate Crisis and Local Government and contributes to the course fees of councillors enrolled on this course.

It is expected that the forthcoming Local Democracy Taskforce may look at further areas to support councillors in the discharge of their functions.