Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has any plans to change the funding model for local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35550/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The system of funding local government in Ireland is a complex one, as local authorities derive their income from a range of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services provided, Local Property Tax and grants from various government departments and state agencies for both Current and Capital purposes.

A fundamental prerequisite for effective local democracy is that elected councils have a strong measure of financial power and discretion, and corresponding responsibility. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, a Local Democracy Taskforce has been established to reform and strengthen local government, and will meet for the first time on 26 June 2025.

The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce sets out an ambitious and detailed work programme, which is expected to give rise to a series of reforms in the local government sector. The work of the Taskforce will be focussed across four themes. One such theme will be the funding of local authorities, and will include a consideration of ways to enhance fiscal autonomy on a local level. It is expected that the taskforce will deliver recommendations to me for consideration within nine months.