Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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833. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government given that the €1,500 cap on educational supports for councillors undertaking QQI-accredited courses was set in 2014 and has not been adjusted since, if he will acknowledge that the real value of this support has effectively decreased by approximately €500 due to inflation, representing a 33% reduction in value by 2025 terms; if he will outline the reason this cap has remained static, despite a significant increase in the regulatory responsibilities and operational scope of Local Authorities over the past decade; and if he has any plans to review or adjust the cap to reflect current economic realities and ensure that councillors have adequate access to education and training resources necessary to effectively carry out their duties. [30046/25]

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.