Govt announces €192k funding to tackle diversity imbalance in local elections

Almost €200,000 in funding has been announced to help remedy Ireland's "significant underrepresentation of women and people of diversity in local government". 

That's according to the Minister for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke, who today (November 30) announced an allocation of €192,200 to 18 local authorities and one regional women's caucus. 

It's hoped the funding will support activities to increase the number of female and diverse candidates and councillors running in the Local Elections in 2024. 

Speaking about the news, Minister Burke said, "There is a significant underrepresentation of women and people of diversity in local government, and therefore I have spent much of my time as Minister working to address this imbalance. My department and I are passionate about supporting our councils to be more reflective of the breadth and diversity of the communities they serve." 

Projects selected for funding include community events, mentoring programmes, workshops for secondary school students, as well as capacity-building training both online and in-person. 

Monaghan received the largest amount allocated to an individual Local Authority (€2,000), followed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (€19,000) and Cork City (€17,500). 

Galway County received the smallest amount of funding (€2,500), with Fingal receiving €3,000, and Roscommon and South Dublin receiving €5,000 each. 

The minister continued: "Over the past few years, I have approved significant funding aimed at promoting the participation of women and people of diversity in local government across various funding streams. I have also made significant progress in recent months in terms of legislation, with Government approving a comprehensive package of maternity benefits for councillors.

"These measures recognise the unique and demanding role of the councillor and acknowledge that it can be difficult to step away from the role for a significant period of time. Proposed legislative changes mean that councillors can take advantage of the right to maternity leave for the first time. They will also have the option to nominate an individual as a temporary substitute for the duration of their absence.

"I am working to bring this Bill to the Oireachtas in the coming days to begin its legislative journey. I will also put in place an additional allowance for administrative/secretarial supports for councillors to assist them in running their office after giving birth." 

Local authorities have submitted proposals working specifically towards the 2024 elections, and for the first time this year were asked to focus on the worrying trend of online abuse directed at elected officials. 

This year the scheme also incorporates a previously separate scheme aimed at local level women’s caucuses.

According to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, research has shown that local level caucuses strengthen cooperation between women in political life across party lines and create a space for women to engage more on policy and issues which affect their work. 

Minister Burke concluded: "Local authorities across the country recognise the importance of diversity and gender balance at local level. As the local elections in 2024 loom closer, now is the time for us all to redouble our efforts in making the role of the councillor more accessible and sustainable for all." 

The full list of amounts allocated to each Local Authority: 

Carlow: €11,500
Cork City: €17,500
Dublin: €11,000
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown: €19,000
Fingal: €3,000
Galway County: €2,500
Kerry: €11,000
Laois: €9,500
Leitrim: €5,950
Limerick: €15,000
Monaghan: €22,000
Offaly: €7,250
Roscommon: €5,000
South Dublin: €5,000
Tipperary: €11,000
Waterford: €8,000
Westmeath: €13,500
Wicklow: €7,000
Women's Regional Caucus: €7,500