'It's not fair' new Laois councillors have no discretionary budget to spend on community

A newly elected Laois county councillor sparked an unexpected row at the November meeting, when he highlighted that he and another new councillor have no public money to spend this year.

Independently elected Tommy Mulligan who won a seat in Portlaoise Municipal District wants the system changed before the next Local Election in 2029.

He wants to make it fairer for new candidates to win seats, even though it will mean a final loss to his own budget of €15,500.

Each of the 19 Laois councillors get a yearly €31,000 discretionary budget to spend on projects affecting their local voters such as speed ramps, streetlights and community groups.

However in an election year, the councillors spend all their money before the summertime election, giving them a big advantage to win votes over new candidates and leaving none for newly elected councillors that year.

Cllr Mulligan and Cllr Vivienne Phelan must wait until 2025 to get a budget.

"It affects me and Vivienne. We are here for six of the 12 months, I feel we should get half of the €31,000. We have an unfair advantage going into an election. I propose that in election years it is distributed on a pro rata basis. Is there an option to give incoming councillors a discretionary fund?" he asked.

He tabled a motion with his request to the November meeting of Laois County Council. 

It was supported by Cllr James Kelly.

"We all ensured we got rid of our budget in six months. For the likes of Mulligan they could carry out some of the promises they made in the election," Cllr Kelly said.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan supports the motion too.

"I've been approached by several community groups looking for my discretionary budget and I had to go back and say I've no access until January. Incumbants do have an advantage in the approach to an election," she said.

However two Fianna Fáil councillors defended the current system.

"He'll get his full five years of budgets, what I got is what I was owed when I was elected in 2019. I do agree it could be changed but there is no advantage. You'll lose six months if you are not reelected," Cllr Paschal McEvoy said.

"It's not about money, it's about fairness. At the moment myself and Vivienne are at a disadvantage. It's not a fair system," Cllr Mulligan replied.

Cllr Paddy Bracken said he does not think it's a reasonable request.

"You think we're fools altogether. You are only thinking of election," he accused.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Cllr Mulligan replied.

Cllr Ollie Clooney said he's on the fence.

"You have to get your provisional licence before you get a driving licence. I found it ok, but if money is not spent in that year, what happens to it?" he asked.

The council's interim Director of Finance is Julie Bergin.

"If the money is not spent in that year, it's lost. This will have to be something agreed by all members," she said.

The new CEO of Laois County Council is Michael Rainey.

"We can take the motion to go to debate in a Corporate Policy Group closer to the next election," he said.